The Fascinating Camouflage: The Surprising Secrets of Carpet Sharks

Carpet sharks are expert camouflagers with their wide, flat, dark bodies that mimic stains on reefs. These ambush predators use their whisker-like receptors to sense their environment and lie in wait for prey to swim too close. Their fleshy growths around the head and chin create a beard-like frill that further enhances their ability to hide.

Carpet sharks are found in the Western Pacific, off northern Australia, New Guinea, and Indonesia, where they feed on fish, crabs, squid, cuttlefish, octopus, and other sharks. They can grow up to 1.2 meters in length and have strong jaws with sharp teeth that they use to quickly suck their prey into their mouths. In fact, they can dislocate their jaws to consume larger prey.

Despite their predatory nature, carpet sharks pose little threat to humans. While they have been known to bite divers who venture too close, there have been no recorded fatal attacks by these creatures of the deep sea. Their ability to blend into their surroundings and unique feeding behavior make them fascinating creatures that continue to intrigue scientists and explorers alike.