Tasselled wobbegong

(Eurcrossorhinus dasypogon)

lightning fast strike

Diet

Feeds on small bottom fishes such as squirrelfish and soldierfish.

Habitat

Found inshore and on coral reefs across northern Australia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.

Fin-tastic facts

The oddly named Tasselled Wobbegong is a supreme ambush predator. A fleshy-beard around its chin breaks up its outline and camouflaged skin makes it difficult to spot on the seabed. It eyes are perfectly adapted to focus on a single spot just in front of its head. It is the master of patience and simply waits for its prey to wander into range. If that doesn’t work, the shark has a trick up its sleeve. It uses its tail as a lure, waving it back and forth to draw its prey ever closer. When the prey is in range, the Wobbegong strikes. The sudden opening of its mouth causes pressure differences in the water, which suck the fish into its jaws before being swallowed whole and digested.