The spotted wobbegong (Orectolobus maculatus) is a carpet shark in the family Orectolobidae, endemic to Australia.

The spotted wobbegong's genus name is based on the Greek words "orektos" and "lobos", and translates roughly to "stretched out lobe".

[5] The following diagram shows the relationship between the spotted wobbegong and five other selected species in the genus Orectolobus:[6] O. floridus O. halei O. hutchinsi O. parvimaculatus O. maculatus O. ornatus The spotted wobbegong has a large, robust body, which thins beyond its pelvic fins.

Marine & Freshwater Research, a peer-reviewed scientific journal, studied and compared the electroreceptors of the spotted wobbegong to those of the Australian angelshark (Squatina australis), a distantly related shark species.

[9] A nocturnal species, the spotted wobbegong feeds at night and rests in sandy bottoms, coral reefs, and coastal bays in the day.

[4] Adults most commonly occur on algae-covered rocky reefs and meadows of sea grass or sand, while juveniles are mostly found in estuaries.

Like all wobbegongs, it has a short mouth and broad pharynx, which allow it to suck up prey more easily.

The selection of specimens in a group was previously thought to be at random or due to food advantages, but a study led by Macquarie University concluded that spotted wobbegongs associate with preferred partners for "social" purposes, and some specimens do not associate at all.

[13] Rob Harcourt, a researcher, stated "What we found was that sharks were interacting in a much more complex way than we predicted".

[4] The species exhibits ovoviviparity, with embryos developing inside their mother's body until ready to hatch.

[11] The spotted wobbegong is endemic to Australia, usually living in tropical waters no deeper than 218 metres (715 ft).

[14] In 1789, Arthur Phillip, the first governor of New South Wales, wrote about the spotted wobbegong, which he called "Watts's Shark", in his book Voyage to Botany Bay.

He said that it ferociously attacked the dog of "Mr. Watts":[2] ... after having lain on the deck for two hours seemingly quiet, on Mr Watts's dog passing by, the shark sprang on it with all the ferocity imaginable, and seized it by the leg, nor could the dog have disengaged himself had not the people near at hand come to his assistanceThere have been reports of unprovoked attacks on humans, including divers well above the bottom,[15] while Compagno noted of such reports that "it is often difficult to determine which species was involved or what the precise circumstances were that led to the incident".

[19] Threats to wobbegong include trawl fishing, beach seines, gillnets, lobster pots and traps, targeting by hook-and-line and spearfishing.

Spotted wobbegongs are bycatch species in various fisheries and are allowed to be fished by recreational fishers in some Australian states,[19] as per the table below: