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PanduanHewanKENALI · PEDULI · LINDUNGI
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PANDUANHEWAN · INDONESIA

Brown-banded Bamboo Shark

Brown-banded Bamboo Shark (Chiloscyllium punctatum). The brownbanded bamboo shark is an Indo-Pacific bottom-dweller; banding is particularly noticeable in young animals and changes with age.

PanduanHewan·Updated 23 September 2026·Chiloscyllium punctatum
About this guideThis guide was compiled from the listed species sources and observation records; it has not been reviewed by a taxonomic specialist. GBIF records are neither a census nor proof of native range.
Photograph of Brown-banded Bamboo Shark (Chiloscyllium punctatum).
Tony Hisgett from Birmingham, UK · CC BY 2.0 · Photograph cropped for layout.

What is the Brown-banded Bamboo Shark?

Brown-banded Bamboo Shark refers to Chiloscyllium punctatum, in the genus Chiloscyllium, family Hemiscylliidae, and order Orectolobiformes. The scientific name follows the accepted taxon in the GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Common names can vary between places; the scientific name distinguishes this species from relatives.

Evidence: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon ↗

What is known about the Brown-banded Bamboo Shark?

The brownbanded bamboo shark is an Indo-Pacific bottom-dweller; banding is particularly noticeable in young animals and changes with age.

Read that fact alongside the scientific name and species source, not as proof from an unclear photograph. Populations, ages and taxonomic limits can differ; when identification is uncertain, record the broader group.

Evidence: Species account — background reading ↗

How many Indonesian records name the Brown-banded Bamboo Shark?

When checked on 2026-09-23, the GBIF search returned 81 human-observation records from Indonesia under this species name for 2016–2026. That is a count of indexed records, not an estimate of population, abundance or unique individuals. Observation effort can vary by location, and the count may change as records are added or identifications revised.

Evidence: GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026 ↗

Where were observations reported?

Place labels appearing in the results include Nusa Tenggara Timur, Bali, Papua Barat. They are labels attached to records, not a complete range map or evidence that the species occurs only there. Some labels may be broad or inconsistent. Check the underlying records before using the location information for field decisions.

Evidence: GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026 ↗

How can you observe the Brown-banded Bamboo Shark?

In the water, keep space, do not chase or touch, and avoid blocking the animal’s route. Record place and date; photographs cannot estimate how many individuals live throughout a sea area. A well-documented sighting helps others check the identification without turning one encounter into a conservation-status claim.

Explore related animals

To explore this group further, compare Brown-banded Bamboo Shark with Indonesian Speckled Carpetshark, Tasselled Wobbegong, Oceanic Manta Ray. These links reflect a shared genus, family, order, class or catalogue group; taxonomic proximity does not imply identical habitat needs or conservation status.

Sources & references

  1. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon ↗
  2. GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026 ↗
  3. iNaturalist — exact species taxon and community observations ↗
  4. Species account — background reading ↗

References can change. Check dates and context in the original source.