# Epaulette Shark (*hemiscyllium ocellatum*) The Epaulette Shark is a small and friendly shark that can walk on land using its fins! It loves to explore coral reefs and hunt for tasty snacks like crabs and small fish. - **Category:** [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fish) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Shallow coral reefs and sandy coastal waters in the Indo-Pacific region. - **Also known as:** Ocellaris Shark, Pygmy Shark, Walking Shark ![Epaulette Shark](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Hemiscyllium_ocellatum_Oc%C3%A9anopolis.jpg&width=800) Photo: This illustration was made by Citron You must credit this : Citron / CC-BY-SA-3.0, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hemiscyllium_ocellatum_Oc%C3%A9anopolis.jpg) ## Appearance The Epaulette Shark is a slender, bottom-dwelling shark with a distinctive large, black, white-bordered spot behind each pectoral fin, resembling a military epaulette. Its body is tan to light brown, covered with darker brown spots and bands, providing excellent camouflage against coral and sand. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Elasmobranchii - **Order:** Orectolobiformes - **Family:** Hemiscylliidae - **Genus:** Hemiscyllium ## Interesting facts - Epaulette Sharks can use their fins to "walk" on land between tide pools! - Their distinctive black spot looks just like a military officer's epaulette. - These sharks can regenerate lost teeth continuously throughout their entire lives! - They lay unique, leathery egg cases called "mermaid's purses" on the seafloor! ## Special abilities - **Walking Fins:** Epaulette Shark can use its strong, paddle-like pectoral and pelvic fins to 'walk' along the seafloor, helping them navigate complex reef environments. - **Super Survivor:** Epaulette Shark can survive for hours with almost no oxygen by reducing brain activity and heart rate, helping them endure isolated tide pools. - **Night Vision:** Epaulette Shark has eyes adapted for low light, allowing them to effectively hunt for prey in dark crevices and under coral at night. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 60-107 cm - **Weight:** 1-2.5 kg - **Lifespan:** 15-20 years - **Swim Speed:** 8 km/h - **Maximum Depth:** 50 m - **Water Type:** Saltwater ## Diet & Feeding This shark hunts small crabs, shrimp, worms, and tiny fish in the coral reefs. - **Primary Foods:** small crabs, shrimp, marine worms, small bony fish, octopus, gastropods - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Giant Tiger Prawn (*Penaeus monodon*) — A favored invertebrate meal in their habitat. - **Hunts:** Flower Crab (*Portunus pelagicus*) — Crabs are a common prey item on the seafloor. - **Eaten by:** Grey Reef Shark (*Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos*) — Larger reef sharks sometimes prey on juveniles. ## Traits - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [Marine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/marine): Marine habitats encompass all saltwater environments of the Earth's oceans, supporting an immense diversity of aquatic life. ## Collections - [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fish) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Epaulette Shark? Look at body shape, where the fins sit and their outline, mouth position, stripes and spots. Young fish and breeding adults can wear different patterns, and aquarium color varieties can look nothing like wild fish. Fish Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Epaulette Shark? 60-107 cm ### How much does Epaulette Shark weigh? 1-2.5 kg ### How long does Epaulette Shark live? 15-20 years ### What does Epaulette Shark eat? This shark hunts small crabs, shrimp, worms, and tiny fish in the coral reefs. ### How fast can Epaulette Shark swim? 8 km/h ### Where is Epaulette Shark usually found? Shallow coral reefs and sandy coastal waters in the Indo-Pacific region. ### How does Epaulette Shark hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [New England Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/new-england-aquarium) — Massachusetts, US · Aquarium - [Tierpark und Fossilium Bochum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tierpark-und-fossilium-bochum) — Nordrhein-Westfalen, DE · Zoo ## More Fish - [Rainbow Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rainbow-trout) (*Oncorhynchus mykiss*) - [Brown Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-trout) (*Salmo trutta*) - [Brook Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brook-trout) (*Salvelinus fontinalis*) - [Lake Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lake-trout) (*Salvelinus namaycush*) --- Source: [Epaulette Shark: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/epaulette-shark)