Epaulette Sharks display a unique form of movement, using their pectoral and pelvic fins to “walk” or crawl across the seafloor and between tide pools during low tide. They are able to travel in this motion across long distances.
Epaulette Sharks get their name from the large black eye spots that resemble decorative epaulettes seen on military uniforms, positioned above their pectoral fins.
Animal Type
Cartilaginous fish
Range
Western Pacific
Natural Habitat
Coastal Waters
Diet
Fish, crustaceans
Conservation Status
Not Evaluated
Extinct
Least Concern
At lower risk of extinction
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Characteristics
Feeding behaviour
Though nocturnal, Epaulette Sharks forage in reef flats and tide pools most actively during dusk and dawn. They are opportunistic feeders that use electroreception and a strong sense of smell to detect prey, which they capture using suction feeding.
Threats faced/Conservation
Populations are generally stable, but low reproductive rates make Epaulette Sharks less able to cope with changes in their environment or pressures caused by human activities.
Conservation Status
Not Evaluated
Species yet to be assessed
Data Deficient
Insufficient data for evaluation
Least Concern
At lower risk of extinction
Near Threatened
Likely to become threatened in the near future
Vulnerable
At high risk of extinction
Endangered
At very high risk of extinction
Critically Endangered
At extremely high risk of extinction
Extinct in the Wild
No longer found in the wild, survives only under human care
Extinct
No longer exists