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Orectolobus maculatus
Max Length
1.25m
Overview
A highly camouflaged ambush predator of Australian coastal reefs. Uses elaborate skin flaps and a mottled pattern to blend into the seafloor. Responsible for a small number of incidents, nearly always when inadvertently stepped on.
Habitat
Tropical inshore reefs and tidepools.
Distribution
Western Pacific, including New Guinea and northern Australia.
Behavior
The shark is nocturnal; it rests on the bottom by day and prowls the reef at night, clambering about using its paired fins.
Human Safety
Usually unaggressive unless provoked.
Biology
Appearance

Dentition
Recorded
56
Fatal
0
Fatality rate
0.0%
Years
1871–2023
Top countries
Years with most incidents
Counts are based on the species field of the Global Shark Attack File. Identifications by witnesses are often uncertain; treat figures as recorded incidents, not authoritative totals.