scubaseason

Wobbegong

Orectolobus maculatus

Sighting evidence at Erscotts Hole, Lord Howe Island

Spotted wobbegongs rest flat and motionless on the cavern floor of Erscotts Hole, their extraordinary camouflage rendering them nearly invisible against the encrusted basalt. As ambush predators they rely entirely on concealment, erupting with explosive speed to engulf fish and crustaceans that venture within striking range, and the cave's still water and absence of strong current make it an ideal hunting environment for this sedentary species.

Evidence at this site

No confirmed records on file at this site

Wobbegong is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.

How is this calculated?

Sighting evidence is compiled from iNaturalist observation records within a set proximity radius, filtered for quality-grade observations. “Last confirmed” is the date of the most recent research-grade record. Record count covers a rolling 24-month window. Confidence reflects record count, recency, and consistency of seasonal signal.