The Burmese bambooshark (Chiloscyllium burmensis), is an extremely rare shark belonging to the family Hemiscylliidae. There is one holotype. It was caught off the coast from Rangoon in Burma in a depth of 95-108 feet. This holotype is an adult male, 1.9 feet long and kept in the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC.
Family: Hemiscylliidae – Longtail Carpetsharks
Genus: Chiloscyllium
Species: burmensis
Phylum– Chordata
Class– Chondrichthyles
Common Name– Carpet Sharks
Family– Hemiscylliidae
Common Name– Longtail Carpetsharks or Bamboo Sharks
Genus– Chiloscyllium
Species– burmensis
Status: IUCN Red List DATA DEFICIENT
Average Size and Length: The adult male holotype was recorded at 57.5 cm/ 1.9 feet.
Head: They have very small eyes.
Demographic, Distribution, Habitat, Environment and Range: The Burmese bambooshark can be found in the northeast Indian Ocean in Myanmar, Burma (18°N – 14°N, 93°E – 98°E). Most of the habitat is unknown. They may be found inshore off of Irrawaddy River Delta, but this is just speculation at this point. The holotype was collected off of Rangoon/Yangon. They are considered tropical demersal. The holotype was caught between 95-108 feet.
Diet: They east small bony fish.
Aesthetic Identification: Adult Burmese bamboosharks have dark fin webs. The juvenile coloration is unknown. The dorsal fins have straight or convex rear margins and are long. The anal fin is set far back on a very long, thick precaudal tail. The origin of the first dorsal fin is roughly opposite the pelvic fin insertions. There are no lateral ridges on the body.
Biology and Reproduction: Their biology is virtually unknown. They are more than likely oviparous.
Behavioral Traits, Sensing and Intelligence: Their behavior is unknown.
Burmese Bambooshark Future and Conservation: Not enough data to evaluate.
Burmese Bambooshark Recorded Attacks on Humans: Not a threat to humans.