Hasselt’s Bamboo Shark

Shark Database | Carpet Sharks - Orectolobiformes | Hasselt’s Bamboo Shark

About the Hasselt’s Bamboo Shark

Hasselt’s bamboo sharks can be found in inshore waters around Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Indonesia and Vietnam at depth of 12 m below on sandy and muddy bottoms.

Biology and Behaviour:

Hasselt’s bamboo sharks can grow to a length of 60 cm long. Like many other bamboo sharks, Hasselt’s do not have a colour pattern, but the young ones do with transverse dark bands with black edging. Adults are medium to dark brown in colour.

Reproduction and Lifespan:

Hasselt’s bamboo sharks are oviparous where the eggs are laid to hatch and are attached to benthic marine plants. The eggs will hatch in December, and the average length at birth is 9 cm to 12 cm. Males mature between 44 to 54 cm long.

Conservation and Tourism:

The IUCN lists Hasselt’s bamboo sharks are near threatened, but there are not conservation methods in place.

They are regularly taken in as bycatch and it’s likely their population is declining due to overfishing, destructive fishing practices and habitat modification, including the damage and destruction of coral reefs.  

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Hasselt’s Bamboo Shark Gallery


Scientific NameChiloscyllium hasseltii
OrderCarpet Sharks - Orectolobiformes
GenusChiloscyllium
CitesNot Listed
IUCNNear Threatened
ReproductionOviparous
SizeSmall
Litter Size1
SpeciesChiloscyllium hasseltii
Common Length60 cm
Max Lenght61 cm
Depth Range0 - 12 m
DistributionWestern Indian Ocean
EnvironmentMarine, Reef-Associated