| Cartilaginous Fishes | Sharks |
Epaulette Shark
Hemiscyllium ocellatum
| Conservation Status: Safe for Now
This small, attractively marked shark is a rather interesting animal. It can, and does swim, but most of its movement is accomplished by “walking” with the use of several of its fins. Its slender body permits easy navigation in and around the intricacies of coral reefs where it feeds primarily on bottom living invertebrates.
Facts and Features
- Geographic Distribution
southern coast of New Guinea to the northern coast of Australia, as far south as Sydney
- Amazing Facts
When feeding, most sharks swallow their prey whole or if it is too large, will bite off large chunks and swallow them whole; however, the epaulette shark, is sometimes observed chewing its food with a small portion sticking out of its mouth. The food can be seen moving back and forth in the mouth until it is finally suitable for swallowing.
- At the Aquarium
Our epaulette sharks can be touched in Shark Lagoon.
