Rusty Carpetshark

About the Rusty Carpetshark

Rusty Carpetsharks are endemic to the southern coast of Australia in the Eastern Indian Ocean at depths between 5 to 150 m underwater. They live near the bottom or inshore near rocks and river mouths. They are nocturnal and rarely seen.

Biology and Behaviour

Rusty carpetsharks are grey-brown with slightly darker saddles along its back and dark small spots on its head, body and fins.

Rusty carpetsharks typically feed on bottom-dwelling crustaceans and molluscs. 

Reproduction and Lifespan

Rusty carpetsharks are oviparous, and pups are 17 cm long at birth. Males mature at 60 cm long while females mature at a longer size at 75 cm. They grow to a maximum size of 80 cm long. Similar to many sharks, there is still more to learn about this species.

Conservation and Tourism

Rusty carpetsharks are listed as least concern on the IUCN’s Red List. There are a couple conservation methods in place that helps this species, such as the reduction in the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery may have reduced by catch levels of rusty carpetsharks, and the spatial management arrangements from the Southeast and Southwest Commonwealth Marine Reserve Networks.

Do you have images or videos of Rusty Carpetsharks?
Submit them to [email protected].

Rusty Carpetshark Gallery