Walking Shark

The epaulette shark (Hemiscyllium ocellatum) is a species of longtailed carpet shark, family Hemiscylliidae, found in shallow, tropical waters off Australia and New Guinea (and possibly elsewhere). The common name of this shark comes from the very large, white-margined black spot behind each pectoral fin, which are reminiscent of military epaulettes.

Rather than swim, epaulette sharks often "walk" by wriggling their bodies and pushing with their paired fins. This species feeds on a wide range of small benthic invertebrates and bony fishes.

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By User:Strobilomyces - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0.

Heliscyllium ocellatum (Epaulette Shark)

Source / Image Courtesy

 

By mrpbps - Reef Shark, CC BY 2.0

Epaulette sharks can survive for hours with little oxygen, and can clamber over land to reach the nearest suitable area of water.

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Step behind the scenes as Attenborough and his intrepid crew battle against the falling tide to capture footage of one of nature's most enigmatic creatures: the epaulette shark.

 

The epaulette shark's small size allows it to thrive in shallow coral reefs. But when the tide rolls out it can be left high and dry. To avoid baking in the hot sun, the epaulette utilizes an extraordinary strategy - it walks to water.