[Animals] They discover a strange Australian shark with legs that walks on the Great Barrier Reef

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The epaulet shark breaks all the rules for marine predators in Australia: it learns to walk before it learns to swim.
Barely a meter long, the epaulet shark roams calmly over Australian coral reefs. Unlike its other cousins, with whom the ecosystem cohabits, the species developed feet and fins at the same time. For this reason, according to a study conducted recently by Florida Atlantic University, the animal learns to walk before slipping between ocean currents.

Also known by its scientific name, Hemiscyllium ocellatum, it was listed as a benthic shark. The researchers were amazed to realize that the epaulet shark is capable of walking on reefs, but also out of the water. To do this, the authors write in a statement, they move "their body and pushing with their paddle-shaped fins."

The epaulette shark is found south of the Great Barrier Reef of Australia. In addition to its impressive ability to walk under and out of water, researchers at Florida Atlantic University discovered that it is capable of withstanding extreme environmental conditions.

Not only does it adapt to the high temperatures of the Australian oceans —increasingly higher, due to the climate crisis—, but it also endures long periods without oxygen:

"SURPRISINGLY, THIS WALKING SHARK IS ABLE TO SURVIVE COMPLETE ANOXIA (NO OXYGEN) FOR TWO HOURS WITHOUT ADVERSE EFFECTS AND AT A MUCH HIGHER TEMPERATURE THAN MOST OTHER HYPOXIA-TOLERANT ANIMALS," THE RESEARCHERS EXPLAIN.

And what's more: the epaulet shark learns to walk before it learns to swim. From very early stages of its development, it uses its flat fins to propel itself over coral and sand. Thus, they manage to enter the corals to hunt worms, crustaceans and small fish.

However, scientists say that this adaptability has limits. While it is true that they are versatile in terms of how much oxygen they need to live, the changing conditions of coral reefs in Australia threaten their survival. There is still no evidence to support that its physiognomy will be able to withstand the devastation of its natural habitat.

https://www.ngenespanol.com/animales/descubren-un-extrano-tiburon-australiano-con-patas-que-puede-caminar/