The Wobbegong Shark is a carpet shark also known by it’s Latin name Orectolobidae. They are a bottom dwelling species mostly found relaxing on the seabed using their excellent camouflage to lie in wait for prey. With lots of small, sharp teeth they can inflict a serious bite and generally their prey doesn’t escape the vice like grip once the biting starts!
Mostly found around Australia and Indonesia they are a rare sighting in the Philippines, the species are listed by the IUCN as “Near Threatened” due to habit destruction and being by catch to other unsustainable fishing methods. So it was with much excitement that Matt and Julian Elliott came across one of these beauties while diving the wreck of the Pioneer Cebu in 110m. Obviously this wreck is very deep and out of reach of most divers, so hopefully the Wobbegong will have a fairly peaceful life if it chooses to hang around that area.
Have you ever seen a Wobbegong shark in the Philippines?
