Carpet sharks are highly skilled at blending into their surroundings on the ocean floor, making them nearly invisible to unsuspecting prey. They can be found in the Western Pacific, off northern Australia, New Guinea, and Indonesia, where they feed on fish, crabs, squid, cuttlefish, and octopus, as well as other sharks. These sharks, also known as Eucrossorhinus dasypogon, can grow up to 1.2 meters in length and are expert camouflagers with their wide, flat, dark bodies that mimic stains on reefs.
Their bodies also feature fleshy growths that resemble coral, creating a beard-like frill around their head and chin that further enhances their ability to hide. Carpet sharks are ambush predators, using their whisker-like receptors to sense their environment and lying in wait for prey to swim too close. At night, they become more active, luring prey with tail movements that mimic small fish. When they strike, they quickly suck their prey into their massive mouths with strong jaws and sharp teeth, even dislocating their jaws to consume larger prey.
Carpet sharks are not typically a threat to humans, although they have been known to bite divers who venture too close. Their camouflage also helps protect them from predators, such as other sharks. Despite their predatory nature, carpet sharks have only been involved in a few recorded attacks on humans, none of which have been fatal. Their ability to blend into their environment and their unique feeding behavior make them fascinating creatures of the deep sea.