Large adult shown here, note absence of harness like pattern which distinguishes this species from the common Port Jackson Shark.
Note prominent bony ridge above each eye, giving this species its common name of Crested Hornshark. These ridges become less prominent as they mature.
Egg cases pictured, note entangled tendrils top left side of photo.
Common in the Solitary Islands Marine Park. Only known from the east coast of Australia, from northern New South Wales south to Montague Island.
Frequents coastal reefs and islands, occasionally in rocky estuaries, to at least 93 m but often seen in shallow waters. Feeds on benthic invertebrates, primarily sea urchins but also crustaceans and molluscs and small fish.
Body light to dark brown with broad blackish bands and with high crests above the eyes. Commonly mistaken for Port Jackson Shark, H. portusjacksoni, which has a much more distinct harness like pattern. Oviparous, with paired unusual corkscrew shaped egg cases laid, sometimes with tendrils up to 2 m long. Young approximately 22 cm at hatching. Mature adult in top photograph about 1.3 m long. Second photograph shows distinct eyebrow crest, third photograph shows egg cases entangled in black coral tree. Grows to 1.5 m.
Graham J. Edgar. Australian Marine Life, 2nd Edition, 2008. Reed New Holland Publishers. pp.449-50.
FishBase. Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2018. World Wide Web electronic publication. https://fishbase.ca/summary/Heterodontus-galeatus.html. Accessed 30/09/2018.