Epaulette shark
(Hemiscyllium ocellatum)
Image source: Jo's Animal Database
General data
Scientific names:
Epaulette shark
Habitat:
Saltwater
Climate:
Tropical
Distribution:
Pacific Ocean
The epaulette shark is a species of longtailed carpet shark of the family Hemiscylliidae, found in shallow, tropical waters off Australia and New Guinea (and possibly elsewhere).
The common name of this shark comes from the very large, white-margined black spot behind each pectoral fin, which are reminiscent of military epaulettes.
A small species usually under 1 m (3.3 ft) long, the epaulette shark has a slender body with a short head and broad, paddle-shaped paired fins. The caudal peduncle (to which the tail fin is attached) comprises over half the sharks length. Adults are light brown above, with scattered darker spots and indistinct saddles.
