Orectolobus wardi Whitley, 1939
Northern wobbegong
Orectolobus wardi
photo by FAO

Family:  Orectolobidae (Carpet or nurse sharks)
Max. size:  63 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 3 m
Distribution:  Western Central Pacific: Australia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 0-0. Dark rounded saddles with light outlining widely spaced by dusky areas and with a few dark spots; saddles on head and trunk forming conspicuous eyespots (Ref. 13577). Caudal fin with its upper lobe hardly elevated above the body axis, with a strong terminal lobe and subterminal notch but no ventral lobe (Ref. 13577).
Biology:  Found on the continental shelf, commonly inshore (Ref. 247). Presumably feeds on bottom invertebrates and fishes, but diet still unrecorded (Ref. 13577, 43278). Probably ovoviviparous (Ref. 13577, 43278). Wobbegongs should be regarded as potentially dangerous because of their formidable teeth (Ref. 247, 13577).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 19 February 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  traumatogenic


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