Fish

Epaulette shark

The incredible walking shark

Epaulette sharks are slender sharks that live in coral reefs and other shallow waters. They get their name from the distinctive black spots above their pectoral fins, which resemble the decorative epaulettes on some military uniforms. Their light brown bodies also bear smaller dark brown spots. They’re part of the carpet shark family, which are known for their mottled patterns resembling a rug.

At the Aquarium

A shark walks into a reef

Epaulette sharks are one of nine species of “walking sharks.” Epaulette sharks are capable swimmers but often move by shifting their bodies side to side and using their pelvic and pectoral fins to essentially crawl along the seafloor. They have even been observed "walking" on land! Scientists have suggested that their method of “walking” may resemble the way ancient animals first moved from the sea onto land.

On the hunt

These reef-dwelling sharks stay close to the seafloor where their “walking” helps them navigate complex terrain. They prefer to hunt at dusk and dawn, using their keen senses of sight and smell. They also have the ability to detect faint electrical currents from other animals. They live off a diet of small fish, crustaceans and worms. To reveal prey, this shark will push its snout into the sand and thrash around.

Tide pool explorers

Epaulette sharks have some incredible adaptations that allow them to hunt and survive in tide pools. They can use their pectoral fins to “walk” out of tide pools and back into the ocean, even after the tide recedes. They can also survive for over an hour in low-oxygen environments by concentrating their blood flow to vital areas like the heart and turning off nonessential brain functions.

Keeping an eye on coral reefs

Epaulette sharks have stable population numbers. But the reefs they live in are threatened by human activity, including destructive fishing practices. Coral reefs—which can take thousands of years to develop—face challenges from unsustainable fishing practices. Using your consumer purchase power to choose sustainable seafood is a great way to help epaulette sharks and other reef dwellers.