Great Barrier Reef sharks that can walk on land genetically unique

December 16, 2022 1:33 AM

Great Barrier Reef sharks that can walk on land genetically unique, study finds. Researchers are investigating the possibility that a population of epaulette sharks on Lady Elliot Island could qualify to be named as a new species.

In case anyone is imaging Jaws-but-on-land, the sharks in question are small, shy, and are only likely to bite you if you
a) step on them
b) pat them
c) try to pick them up.

They eat worms, crabs, shrimp, amphipods and small fish.

Also "able to walk on land" means able to get around on piles of wet seaweed, wet rocks, and wet beach sand when the tide goes out.

posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries (19 comments total)

Where's the "landshark" tag?!
posted by brundlefly at 1:54 AM on December 16, 2022 [18 favorites]

Very interesting, thank you! And the next "Sharknado" movie better include walking sharks as well a flying sharks!
posted by greenhornet at 2:04 AM on December 16, 2022 [1 favorite]

Oh man I had no idea baby sharks were so damn cute <3
posted by arha at 3:18 AM on December 16, 2022 [1 favorite]

The epaulette shark's ability to walk on land and withstand low oxygen by switching off non-essential brain functions is part of what helps it survive

You and me both, ya little cut price shark mate
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 3:39 AM on December 16, 2022 [25 favorites]

I guess, if I were going to include photos and videos in a story I was publishing on sharks that walk on land, I might make sure some of those were of the sharks walking on land.
posted by yamel at 4:06 AM on December 16, 2022 [6 favorites]

do it then, dare ya
posted by lazaruslong at 4:24 AM on December 16, 2022 [2 favorites]

The ocean is chock-full of dangerous things and you should never go into it, ever. It was inevitable the danger would come ashore, don't be lulled into a false sense of security because of their small size.
posted by tommasz at 4:43 AM on December 16, 2022 [2 favorites]

Check out this In Our Time podcast episode!. I didn’t get to read TFA yet but the Fish-Tetrapod Transition episode is one of the best ones so I don’t even feel bad about sharing it…
posted by drowsy at 5:04 AM on December 16, 2022

Candygram.....
posted by gimonca at 5:40 AM on December 16, 2022 [7 favorites]

Oh, sure, they’re small *now.*
posted by Galvanic at 5:53 AM on December 16, 2022

This will never not be relevant.
posted by Halloween Jack at 6:24 AM on December 16, 2022

Oh man I had no idea baby sharks were so damn cute

doo doo do do do doo
posted by condour75 at 7:20 AM on December 16, 2022 [5 favorites]

First step of shark evolution? Maybe one day they will take over for humans on land!
posted by ichimunki at 7:37 AM on December 16, 2022

What a big waste
What am I worth?
A shark that can only eat half of the earth...
posted by kaibutsu at 7:53 AM on December 16, 2022

Some aquarium nut brought one of these to New York back in the 70s and it escaped and terrorized the city.
posted by interogative mood at 8:13 AM on December 16, 2022

The problem with scanning a headline too quickly with morning sleepy eyes: I initially thought it said Great White sharks that can walk on land and started to get concerned.

It reminded me of Landshark.
(jinxed!)
posted by eye of newt at 8:22 AM on December 16, 2022 [1 favorite]

Soon life will imitate art.
posted by y2karl at 8:32 AM on December 16, 2022

Also, if you too are curious about whether marine biologist Jacinta Shackleton is a descendant of Ernest Shakleton, the answer is yes.
posted by OrangeDisk at 9:00 AM on December 16, 2022 [4 favorites]

oh sure, make a very small and cute shark and put it on the beach but no touchy the fish! no picky uppy the fish :(
posted by supermedusa at 9:45 AM on December 16, 2022 [1 favorite]