Identity card
LATIN NAME: Hemiscyllium ocellatum
FAMILY: Hemiscylliidae
PHYLUM: Chordata
CLASS: Chondrichthyes
Originating from the Western Pacific, this shark is also known as the “walking shark” from the way it uses its fins.
The epaulette shark lives mainly in shallow, tropical coastal waters, on coral flats.
It can be recognised by the large black spot behind its pectoral fins and the little black dots all over its body.
The epaulette shark feeds on small fish, worms and crustaceans.
It grows up to 1.10 m long.