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IUCN status: Near ThreatenedBrown-banded Bamboo Shark at a glance
The Brown-banded Bamboo Shark (Chiloscyllium punctatum) is a marine animal in the family Hemiscylliidae. In Indonesia, observation records come mainly from East Nusa Tenggara, Bali, West Papua. Diet: eater of bottom invertebrates and small fish; a carnivore. IUCN Red List status: Near Threatened.
| Scientific name | Chiloscyllium punctatum |
|---|---|
| Group | Marine |
| Family | Hemiscylliidae |
| Observation records | East Nusa Tenggara, Bali, West Papua |
| Taxonomic group | Orectolobiformes |
| GBIF records | 81 human-observation records, 2016–2026 |
| Data retrieved | 2026-09-23 |
| IUCN status | Near Threatened · IUCN Red List (via GBIF) · checked 1 October 2026 |
| Diet type | Carnivore (meat-eater) — eater of bottom invertebrates and small fish · FishBase |
| Reproduction | Laying eggs (oviparous) · FishBase |
| Venom or poison | Not venomous · FishBase: Chiloscyllium punctatum species summary |
| Active | Nocturnal (active at night) · Brownbanded Bambooshark, Discover Fishes, Florida Museum of Natural History |
In this guide (12)
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.
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 East Nusa Tenggara, Bali, West Papua. 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.
Scientific classification of the Brown-banded Bamboo Shark
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Chondrichthyes |
| Order | Orectolobiformes |
| Family | Hemiscylliidae |
| Genus | Chiloscyllium |
| Species | Chiloscyllium punctatum |
Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology (for example class Reptilia).
Common questions about the Brown-banded Bamboo Shark
What is the scientific name of the Brown-banded Bamboo Shark?
The scientific name of the Brown-banded Bamboo Shark is Chiloscyllium punctatum, in the family Hemiscylliidae and the order Orectolobiformes.
What kind of animal is the Brown-banded Bamboo Shark?
The Brown-banded Bamboo Shark is a marine animal in the family Hemiscylliidae. By diet it is a carnivore (meat-eater): a eater of bottom invertebrates and small fish.
Where does the Brown-banded Bamboo Shark live in Indonesia?
Observation records of the Brown-banded Bamboo Shark summarised in this guide mainly come from East Nusa Tenggara, Bali, West Papua. That list is not a complete range map.
What does the Brown-banded Bamboo Shark eat?
The Brown-banded Bamboo Shark is a eater of bottom invertebrates and small fish. That makes it a carnivore (meat-eater). Source: FishBase.
How does the Brown-banded Bamboo Shark reproduce?
The Brown-banded Bamboo Shark reproduces by laying eggs (oviparous). Lays rounded egg cases, two at a time. Source: FishBase.
Is the Brown-banded Bamboo Shark venomous?
No. The Brown-banded Bamboo Shark is not venomous. Source: FishBase: Chiloscyllium punctatum species summary.
Do not catch, handle or disturb wild animals. If bitten, stung or exposed to its toxins, go to the nearest health facility straight away.
Is the Brown-banded Bamboo Shark nocturnal?
The cited source records the Brown-banded Bamboo Shark as nocturnal (active at night). Source: Brownbanded Bambooshark, Discover Fishes, Florida Museum of Natural History.
See also the list of nocturnal and diurnal animals in Indonesia.
What is the scientific classification of the Brown-banded Bamboo Shark?
Scientific classification of the Brown-banded Bamboo Shark: kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Chondrichthyes, order Orectolobiformes, family Hemiscylliidae, genus Chiloscyllium, species Chiloscyllium punctatum.
Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology.
Is the Brown-banded Bamboo Shark endangered?
Not yet in a threatened category, but close to one. On the IUCN Red List, the Brown-banded Bamboo Shark is listed as Near Threatened: it is close to qualifying, or likely to qualify, for a threatened category in the near future. Source: IUCN Red List (via GBIF), checked 1 October 2026.
This global category is separate from legal protection in Indonesia. To check whether the Brown-banded Bamboo Shark is a protected species, consult the current national list of protected species or contact the local BKSDA (natural resources conservation office).
Sources & references
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon ↗
- GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026 ↗
- iNaturalist — exact species taxon and community observations ↗
- Species account — background reading ↗
- FishBase ↗
- Brownbanded Bambooshark, Discover Fishes, Florida Museum of Natural History ↗
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF) ↗
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, version 2026-1, via GBIF (CC BY 4.0) ↗
References can change. Check dates and context in the original source. How we use sources and data →
Cite this page
Credit PanduanHewan when referring to this page. Check the original evidence sources before reusing a claim.
PanduanHewan. Brown-banded Bamboo Shark (Chiloscyllium punctatum). Last substantive update: 1 October 2026. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/chiloscyllium-punctatum/