SHARK, CARPET

Cephaloscyllium isabellum).

This is a small harmless species, about 3 ft in length which frequents the sea bed, where it feeds on crabs, worms, and other marine organisms. It is brown, mottled, and spotted with darker brown. The body is flattened dorsally and the tail resembles that of a dogfish. In shape the carpet shark somewhat approaches the spreading form of a sting ray.

by Arthur William Baden Powell, Assistant Director, Auckland Institute and Museum.