A new species of shark that "walks" has been found in eastern Indonesia. The Huffington Post reported that the shark walks along the seabed using its fins as tiny legs.
The shark is a brown and white bamboo shark and uses its fins to walk along the floor while looking for crustaceans and small fish to feast on reported Conservation International who was involved in discovering the shark.
"The shark, which grows to a maximum length of just 80 centimetres (30 inches) and is harmless to humans, was discovered off Halmahera, one of the Maluku Islands that lie west of New Guinea," reported The Huffington Post.
The shark is also known as a longtail carpet shark.
Ketut Sarjana Putra, Indonesia country director for the group Conservation International, said the shark could "serve as an excellent ambassador to call public attention to the fact that most sharks are harmless to humans and are worthy of our conservation attention," reported The Huffington Post.
Mark Erdmann a marine biologist and adviser with Conservation International said that the shark grows up to 27 inches long and is not harmful to humans.
"The animal has been dubbed Hemiscyllium halmahera, named after the eastern Indonesian island of Halmahera where it was found. Sharks in its genus (the taxonomic group above species) are also known as epaulette sharks, since many sport markings that resemble military epaulettes, according to a Conservation International statement," reported Livescience.com.
According to the statement the sharks lay eggs under coral ledges. As adults they do not cross areas of deep water and are found in reefs throughout Indonesia and waters of the western Pacific.
There has been a shift in conservation towards sharks recently in Indonesia. "Conservation International, whose scientists discovered the shark along with colleagues from the Western Australian Museum, added it came at a time when Indonesia was increasing its efforts to protect shark and ray species.," reported The Huffington Post.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
