Marbled Bamboo Cat Shark - Twin Falls Zoo

The Marbled Bamboo Cat Shark (Chiloscyllium punctatum) is a small, distinctively patterned shark commonly found in the shallow coastal waters of the Indo-West Pacific, from Japan to northern Australia. Typically, they reach a length of about 70 cm and are adorned with a striking pattern of dark saddles and spots against a lighter background, which helps them blend into their rocky and coral reef surroundings. These sharks have slender, elongated bodies with barbels near their mouths, which they use to sense prey in the sandy substrate.

Marbled Bamboo Cat Sharks are benthic, residing primarily on the ocean floor in shallow waters usually not deeper than 85 meters. They prefer habitats such as coral reefs, rocky areas, and beds of seagrass. These environments provide ample hiding spaces and abundant food sources, crucial for their survival. Their preference for shallow waters also makes them a common sight in tidal pools and mangrove swamps.

Marbled Bamboo Cat Sharks play a role as predators of benthic organisms. They primarily feed on small fish, mollusks, and crustaceans. These sharks are oviparous, laying pairs of egg cases that attach to underwater foliage and rocky crevices, where they remain until the juveniles are ready to hatch. They have few natural predators and are often more threatened by human activities such as fishing and habitat destruction than by other marine animals. Their presence in diverse marine ecosystems indicates healthy, thriving coral reefs and seagrass beds.

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