The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 10
The epaulette shark (Hemiscyllium ocellatum) is perhaps the most famous of the walking sharks, renowned for its ability to “walk” over reef flats and even survive out of water during extreme low tides. Found mainly in Australia and New Guinea, it uses its strong pectoral fins to move between tidepools in search of food. This small, harmless species is easily recognized by the large black “epaulette” spot behind each pectoral fin, giving it both its name and a distinctive appearance.
Active mostly at night, it hunts for crustaceans, worms, and small reef fish in shallow water. Thanks to its resilience, small size, and calm nature, the epaulette shark is often spotted by snorkelers and divers exploring shallow reef zones—especially in sandy lagoons and tidal reef flats.