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[Phylum: Chordata] [Class: Chondrichthyes] [Order: Orectolobiformes] [Family: Hemiscylliidae]
The short pointed sensory organs (barbels) hanging from each nostril and high set eyes are the primary biological differences that differentiate the bamboo shark from many of its relatives.
This section contains fun facts and information about longtail carpet sharks (Hemiscylliidae), including where they live, what they eat, and how they reproduce.
In fact, it is quite common to see bamboo sharks living in a controlled environment.
For example, you can see them swimming around at the Monterey Bay Aquarium (California) and SEA Aquarium in Singapore.
However, outside of these commercial aquariums and research centers, the best place to see longtail carpet sharks living in a natural habitat is the tropical Indo-Pacific region.
Thus, the shallow coral reefs and sandy seabeds situated in the coastal waters of Southeast Asia are some of the prime areas.
Even so, bamboo sharks also inhabit the warm water rocky shorelines at many of the popular Thailand dive sites, Indonesia (e.g. Bali dive sites), Malaysia, and southern India (including Sri lanka).
In the main, longtail carpet sharks (also called cat sharks) are sluggish bottom-feeders. Even though they tend to live a solitary lifestyle, they will also congregate together in small groups - especially during the mating season.
Several physical characteristics of these docile sedentary creatures set them apart from other shark species. So for example, bamboo sharks have rough skin and the females have much thicker skin than the males.
Even though most juvenile cat sharks have strong markings - some with dark spots or bands - most adults display dark brown, black, gray, or white body colouration.
Here's the thing:
It is rare for bamboo sharks to grow longer than 120 centimetres (48 inches). Even so, having a tail that measures half as long as their body is one of their most distinctive features.
The small mouth is positioned close to the eyes and some cat sharks are able to fold their teeth back away from the mouth opening.
Most of the thirteen (13) species in the family Hemiscylliidae have long snouts and subterminal nostrils (positioned underneath the head). All Orectolobiformes only have five (5) gills and two (2) "spineless" dorsal fins.
Bamboo sharks are typical nocturnal carnivores that sometimes hunt for food in coastal tidal pools, usually preying on marine crustaceans, small fish, and mollusks.
Having superior sensory organs (barbels) means they can locate their favourite diet (small invertebrates) hidden in the sand. They can even "crawl" along the seabed using a pair of muscular fins.
Fun Fact: Some species of longtail carpet sharks, the brownbanded bamboo shark (Chiloscyllium punctatum) for example, can survive out of water for up to twelve (12) hours.
Following the normal gestation period of fifteen (15) weeks, a female will lay her clutch of eggs in a nest of sandy substrate. During this time, the developing embryos get their essential nourishment from the yolk inside the egg case.
There is some evidence that suggests bamboo sharks can reproduce through a process called parthenogenesis. In simple marine biology terms, this type of asexual reproduction produces offspring from unfertilised eggs.
Despite having few 'natural' predators, and a lifespan of up to twenty five years, reports from the IUCN state that populations of bamboo sharks are decreasing at a rapid rate. Ongoing threats to this critically endangered species include:
Pro Tip: Another section explains why humans are the deadliest animal and why sharks do not kill most humans - now at all!
Note: The image links to a video clip of the day our scuba team went swimming with sharks in Thailand as part of an organised baby bamboo shark release project.