Epaulette Shark

Overview

Uses its muscular pectoral fins to "walk" across reef flats and through tide pools. Can survive brief exposure to air and hypoxic conditions — an adaptation for hunting in isolated pools at low tide. Harmless.

Habitat

These sharks prefer coral reefs in shallow water and tide pools, and are sometimes barely submerged.

Distribution

Southwest Pacific from New Guinea to Australia (and possible to the Solomon Islands and Malaysia).

Behavior

These small sharks are more active at dusk and by night, and they often feed at low tide. They crawl, clamber, and swim about, while thrashing their tail to dig their snout into the sand. They are unafraid of humans and may nip when captured.