The newfound species of walking shark, Hemiscyllium Halmahera, grows up to 27 inches long and is harmless to humans. (Conservation International/photo by Mark Erdmann)
Posted on 08/30/2013 11:49:52 AM PDT by Red Badger
A new species of shark that "walks" along the seabed using its fins as tiny legs has been discovered in eastern Indonesia, an environmental group said Friday.
The brown and white bamboo shark pushes itself along the ocean floor as it forages for small fish and crustaceans at night, said Conservation International, whose scientists were involved in its discovery.
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.
Bamboo sharks, also known as longtail carpet sharks, are relatively small compared to their larger cousins, with the largest adult reaching only about 120 centimetres (47 inches) in length.
They have unusually long tails that are bigger than the rest of their bodies and are found in tropical waters around Indonesia, Australia and Papua New Guinea.
Conservation International said the discovery of the shark, which was first disclosed in the International Journal of Ichthyology, "should help draw diver interest to this mega-diverse but largely undiscovered region".
Ketut Sarjana Putra, Indonesia country director for the group, said the Hemiscyllium halmahera 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".
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.
The newfound species of walking shark, Hemiscyllium Halmahera, grows up to 27 inches long and is harmless to humans. (Conservation International/photo by Mark Erdmann)
The newfound species of walking shark, Hemiscyllium Halmahera, grows up to 27 inches long and is harmless to humans “for now...”
Fixed it for you!
Sharknado III: When Sharks Roamed the Earth
Candygram ...
Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!
Gonna need a faster car.............
Lawyers are safe....”Professional Courtesy.”
“Candygram”
Go to any lawyers convention and you will find many more.
They need to join their fellow shark at the bottom of the ocean too.
Fins to the left...Fins to the right....
lol
ping the syfy channel... quickly
We already know one!
It only walks because it lacks the thumb necessary to hitchhike.
Fins to the left...Fins to the right....
Repeat as necessary..........
It walks because it can’t drive..........
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