description Banded wobbegong Overview
The banded wobbegong, Orectolobus halei, is a carpet shark in the family Orectolobidae found in temperate coastal waters of southern and eastern Australia. It was described as a subspecies by Gilbert Percy Whitley in 1940, later synonymized with Orectolobus ornatus, and elevated to species rank in a 2006 revision based on fresh material and differences in morphology and distribution. The species is distinguished from O. ornatus by its larger adult size and color pattern, among other characters.
help Banded wobbegong FAQ
What is a banded wobbegong?
The banded wobbegong is the shark species Orectolobus halei in the family Orectolobidae. It is a carpet shark found in temperate coastal waters of southern and eastern Australia.
Where does the banded wobbegong live?
It occurs in temperate coastal waters around southern and eastern Australia. Wobbegongs are bottom-associated carpet sharks rather than open-ocean pelagic sharks.
Why do some sources call it Orectolobus ornatus?
Orectolobus halei was first described as a subspecies by Gilbert Percy Whitley in 1940. It was later synonymized with Orectolobus ornatus and eventually elevated again as a separate species.
Is the banded wobbegong a carpet shark?
Yes. It belongs to the carpet-shark family Orectolobidae, a group known for bottom-dwelling sharks with patterned bodies and broad, flattened heads.
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