Sea Creature of the Week

"The Sea Creature of the Week" 

Tasseled Wobbegong

Eucrossorhinus dasypogon

Having a name like "Wobbegong," you may be able to guess where this creature lives. The Tasseled Wobbegong is found in shallow waters and reefs in the western Pacific Ocean around Australia, eastern Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. The name has an Australian background and is said to translate into "well fringed nose with shaggy beard." :-) 

 It's unique look helps it blend in, or "camouflage", from predators or to attack it's prey. My husband likes to think of it as a carpet, which is correct! Wobbegong's are a type of "carpet-shark," known to lay on the bottom of reefs and in caves. These creatures are nocturnal, which means they are active at night. They are known as "ambush predators," sucking bottom-dwelling fishes into its mouth when they swim by. The needle-like teeth of the Wobbegong traps the fish inside its mouth, making it hard for the fish to escape.   

This unusual creature, sadly, is listed "Near Threatened" by the World Conservation Union (IUCN). This is because their population is decreasing and is predicted to continue to decline in future years. A positive thing, is the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park in Australia, protects some of the Wobbegong's habitat, allowing these animals safe places to live and populate. If you are ever in Atlanta, my hometown, you can see one of these creatures cruising by at the Georgia Aquarium. Take a peak and see if you can spot the Wobbegong in the pictures below: