carpet shark

any shark of the family Orectolobidae, found in tropical Indo-Pacific waters, having mottled skin and fleshy lobes along the sides of the head.

[1925-30]

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▪ fish

      any of the approximately 25 species of sharks constituting the family Orectolobidae. They are found in all oceans but are concentrated in the Indo-Pacific and Australian regions. Many species are large, but they are not considered dangerous to humans, although they may protect themselves if harmed. Some species of carpet sharks bear live young, while others lay eggs. The nurse shark (q.v.; Ginglymostoma cirratum), which reaches a length of more than 4 m (13 feet), is the only species of carpet shark found in the Atlantic Ocean. Many species of carpet sharks are bottom feeders, primarily eating mollusks and crustaceans.

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