A family of sharks commonly known as longtail carpet sharks and sometimes as bamboo sharks are found in shallow waters of the tropical Indo-Pacific. They are relatively small sharks, with the largest species reaching no more than 121 cm in adult body length.
In the wild, Bamboo Sharks mostly feed at night. Like their bodies, their teeth are also small and are used for grasping or crushing softer prey. For eating harder shelled prey, their teeth can literally pivot backwards! This helps to protect the tips of the teeth and provides a continuous hard and flat surface to crunch on crab or clam shells. They can have up to 67 teeth.
Bamboo sharks lay eggs that are usually about 5 inches long.
They often live in coral reefs of the Pacific Ocean.
Bamboo sharks, like most sharks, have electroreceptors on their snouts that help them locate prey that is buried in sand or mud.
Bamboo sharks also have spiracles – which are openings behind the eyes that help them take in oxygenated water.
Their fins are thin and not very muscular, and are mostly used for propping themselves up in the sand.