# Indonesian Speckled Carpetshark

> Indonesian Speckled Carpetshark (Hemiscyllium freycineti). The Indonesian speckled carpetshark is known from shallow Raja Ampat waters; older accounts included populations now assigned to other species.

Source: https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/hemiscyllium-freycineti/ · Updated 1 October 2026 · English · Bahasa Indonesia: https://panduanhewan.org/id/spesies/hemiscyllium-freycineti/
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**Review status:** This 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.

## Quick answer

The Indonesian Speckled Carpetshark (*Hemiscyllium freycineti*) is a marine animal in the family Hemiscylliidae. In Indonesia, observation records come mainly from West Papua. It is endemic to Indonesia, living naturally only in Raja Ampat Islands, Southwest Papua. Diet: predator of small animals on shallow reef flats (hunts at night); a carnivore. IUCN Red List status: Near Threatened. It is a legally protected species in Indonesia (Fisheries Decree 30/2023).

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | *Hemiscyllium freycineti* |
| Indonesian name | Hiu berjalan Raja Ampat |
| Group | Marine |
| Family | Hemiscylliidae |
| Observation records | West Papua |
| Taxonomic group | Orectolobiformes |
| GBIF records | 120 human-observation records, 2016–2026 |
| Data retrieved | 2026-09-23 |
| IUCN status | Near Threatened · [IUCN Red List (via GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/species/5215505) · checked 1 October 2026 |
| Legal protection in Indonesia | Protected · [Fisheries Decree 30/2023](https://jdih.kkp.go.id/peraturan/2023kepmenkp030.pdf) |
| Maximum length | 72 cm · [FishBase — Hemiscyllium freycineti](https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Hemiscyllium-freycineti.html) |
| Population density | About 2,462 individuals per km² in Raja Ampat (survey February 2024–April 2025), the highest recorded worldwide · [ANTARA — Penelitian catat kepadatan hiu berjalan Raja Ampat tertinggi di dunia (24 Juni 2026)](https://www.antaranews.com/berita/5620508/penelitian-catat-kepadatan-hiu-berjalan-raja-ampat-tertinggi-di-dunia) |
| Diet type | Carnivore (meat-eater) — predator of small animals on shallow reef flats (hunts at night) · [Save Our Seas Foundation](https://saveourseas.com/update/raja-ampat-epaulette-shark-habitat/) |
| Reproduction | Laying eggs (oviparous) · [FishBase](https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Hemiscyllium-freycineti.html) |
| Venom or poison | Not venomous · [FishBase: Hemiscyllium freycineti species summary](https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Hemiscyllium-freycineti.html) |
| Active | Nocturnal (active at night) · [Setyawan et al. 2026, First assessment of life history and spatial ecology of the endemic Raja Ampat epaulette shark (Hemiscyllium freycineti) in the Dampier Strait, Indonesia, Frontiers in Fish Science](https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/fish-science/articles/10.3389/frish.2026.1820382/full) |
| Endemic to Indonesia | Yes — Raja Ampat Islands, Southwest Papua · [Save Our Seas Foundation](https://saveourseas.com/project/tracking-declines-in-protected-waters/) |

## What is the Indonesian Speckled Carpetshark?

Indonesian Speckled Carpetshark refers to Hemiscyllium freycineti, in the genus Hemiscyllium, 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](https://www.gbif.org/species/5215505)

## What is known about the Indonesian Speckled Carpetshark?

The Indonesian speckled carpetshark is known from shallow Raja Ampat waters; older accounts included populations now assigned to other species.

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](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemiscyllium%20freycineti)

## How many Indonesian records name the Indonesian Speckled Carpetshark?

When checked on 2026-09-23, the GBIF search returned 120 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](https://api.gbif.org/v1/occurrence/search?country=ID&speciesKey=5215505&basisOfRecord=HUMAN_OBSERVATION&year=2016%2C2026&limit=0&facet=stateProvince&facetLimit=7)

## Where were observations reported?

Place labels appearing in the results include 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](https://api.gbif.org/v1/occurrence/search?country=ID&speciesKey=5215505&basisOfRecord=HUMAN_OBSERVATION&year=2016%2C2026&limit=0&facet=stateProvince&facetLimit=7)

## How can you observe the Indonesian Speckled Carpetshark?

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 Indonesian Speckled Carpetshark with Brown-banded Bamboo Shark, Tasselled Wobbegong, Oriental Bluespotted Maskray. 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 Indonesian Speckled Carpetshark

| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Chondrichthyes |
| Order | Orectolobiformes |
| Family | Hemiscylliidae |
| Genus | *Hemiscyllium* |
| Species | *Hemiscyllium freycineti* |

Source: [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c)

## Common questions about the Indonesian Speckled Carpetshark

### What is the scientific name of the Indonesian Speckled Carpetshark?

The scientific name of the Indonesian Speckled Carpetshark is *Hemiscyllium freycineti*, in the family Hemiscylliidae and the order Orectolobiformes. In Indonesian it is called Hiu berjalan Raja Ampat.

### What kind of animal is the Indonesian Speckled Carpetshark?

The Indonesian Speckled Carpetshark is a marine animal in the family Hemiscylliidae. By diet it is a carnivore (meat-eater): a predator of small animals on shallow reef flats (hunts at night). It is also endemic to Indonesia.

### Where does the Indonesian Speckled Carpetshark live in Indonesia?

Observation records of the Indonesian Speckled Carpetshark summarised in this guide mainly come from West Papua. That list is not a complete range map.

The Indonesian Speckled Carpetshark is endemic to Indonesia and lives naturally only in Raja Ampat Islands, Southwest Papua. Source: [Save Our Seas Foundation](https://saveourseas.com/project/tracking-declines-in-protected-waters/).

### What does the Indonesian Speckled Carpetshark eat?

The Indonesian Speckled Carpetshark is a predator of small animals on shallow reef flats (hunts at night). That makes it a carnivore (meat-eater). Source: [Save Our Seas Foundation](https://saveourseas.com/update/raja-ampat-epaulette-shark-habitat/).

### How does the Indonesian Speckled Carpetshark reproduce?

The Indonesian Speckled Carpetshark reproduces by laying eggs (oviparous). Lays eggs in pairs; embryos develop outside the mother on yolk. Source: [FishBase](https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Hemiscyllium-freycineti.html).

### Is the Indonesian Speckled Carpetshark venomous?

No. The Indonesian Speckled Carpetshark is not venomous. Source: [FishBase: Hemiscyllium freycineti species summary](https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Hemiscyllium-freycineti.html).

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 Indonesian Speckled Carpetshark nocturnal?

The cited source records the Indonesian Speckled Carpetshark as nocturnal (active at night). Source: [Setyawan et al. 2026, First assessment of life history and spatial ecology of the endemic Raja Ampat epaulette shark (Hemiscyllium freycineti) in the Dampier Strait, Indonesia, Frontiers in Fish Science](https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/fish-science/articles/10.3389/frish.2026.1820382/full).

See also [the list of nocturnal and diurnal animals in Indonesia](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/nocturnal-and-diurnal-animals/).

### How big is the Indonesian Speckled Carpetshark?

Maximum length: 72 cm. Source: [FishBase — Hemiscyllium freycineti](https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Hemiscyllium-freycineti.html).

### How large is the population of the Indonesian Speckled Carpetshark?

About 2,462 individuals per km² in Raja Ampat (survey February 2024–April 2025), the highest recorded worldwide. Source: [ANTARA — Penelitian catat kepadatan hiu berjalan Raja Ampat tertinggi di dunia (24 Juni 2026)](https://www.antaranews.com/berita/5620508/penelitian-catat-kepadatan-hiu-berjalan-raja-ampat-tertinggi-di-dunia). Wild population figures are estimates and can differ between surveys.

### What is the scientific classification of the Indonesian Speckled Carpetshark?

Scientific classification of the Indonesian Speckled Carpetshark: kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Chondrichthyes, order Orectolobiformes, family Hemiscylliidae, genus *Hemiscyllium*, species *Hemiscyllium freycineti*.

Source: [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c), adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology.

### Is the Indonesian Speckled Carpetshark endangered?

Not yet in a threatened category, but close to one. On the IUCN Red List, the Indonesian Speckled Carpetshark 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)](https://www.gbif.org/species/5215505), checked 1 October 2026.

This global category is separate from national legal protection. [Is the Indonesian Speckled Carpetshark protected in Indonesia?](#protected)

### Is the Indonesian Speckled Carpetshark protected in Indonesia?

Yes. The Indonesian Speckled Carpetshark (*Hemiscyllium freycineti*) is a protected species in Indonesia under [Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministerial Decree No. 30 of 2023 on full protection of walking sharks (Hemiscyllium spp.)](https://jdih.kkp.go.id/peraturan/2023kepmenkp030.pdf).

If you see this animal being traded, kept or injured, contact the [local BKSDA office](https://panduanhewan.org/en/bksda-offices/) or the local marine and fisheries office.

## Sources & references

1. [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon](https://www.gbif.org/species/5215505)
2. [GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026](https://api.gbif.org/v1/occurrence/search?country=ID&speciesKey=5215505&basisOfRecord=HUMAN_OBSERVATION&year=2016%2C2026&limit=0&facet=stateProvince&facetLimit=7)
3. [iNaturalist — exact species taxon and community observations](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/102599)
4. [Species account — background reading](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemiscyllium%20freycineti)
5. [Keputusan Menteri Kelautan dan Perikanan Nomor 30 Tahun 2023 tentang Perlindungan Penuh Ikan Hiu Berjalan (Hemiscyllium spp.)](https://jdih.kkp.go.id/peraturan/2023kepmenkp030.pdf)
6. [FishBase — Hemiscyllium freycineti](https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Hemiscyllium-freycineti.html)
7. [ANTARA — Penelitian catat kepadatan hiu berjalan Raja Ampat tertinggi di dunia (24 Juni 2026)](https://www.antaranews.com/berita/5620508/penelitian-catat-kepadatan-hiu-berjalan-raja-ampat-tertinggi-di-dunia)
8. [Save Our Seas Foundation](https://saveourseas.com/update/raja-ampat-epaulette-shark-habitat/)
9. [Save Our Seas Foundation](https://saveourseas.com/project/tracking-declines-in-protected-waters/)
10. [Setyawan et al. 2026, First assessment of life history and spatial ecology of the endemic Raja Ampat epaulette shark (Hemiscyllium freycineti) in the Dampier Strait, Indonesia, Frontiers in Fish Science](https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/fish-science/articles/10.3389/frish.2026.1820382/full)
11. [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c)

## Keep exploring

- [Brown-banded Bamboo Shark](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/chiloscyllium-punctatum/)
- [Tasselled Wobbegong](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/eucrossorhinus-dasypogon/)
- [Oriental Bluespotted Maskray](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/neotrygon-orientale/)
- [Whitetip Reef Shark](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/triaenodon-obesus/)

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Cite: PanduanHewan. (2026). Indonesian Speckled Carpetshark. PanduanHewan.org. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/hemiscyllium-freycineti/