shark shark species carpet shark family found shallow tropical waters australia new_guinea possibly common shark comes large white black spot pectoral fin reminiscent military small species usually long shark slender body short head broad shaped paired fins caudal tail fin attached comprises half shark length adults light brown scattered darker spots indistinct sharks nocturnal habits frequent shallow water coral reefs tidal pools shark evolved cope severe night time oxygen isolated tidal pools increasing blood supply brain shutting non essential functions capable surviving complete hour ill effects higher temperature tolerant animals swim sharks walk bodies pushing paired fins species feeds wide range small benthic invertebrates bony fishes sharks females pairs egg days august december small size sharks popular public home assessed species concern outside small trade little interest fisheries taxonomy phylogeny shark originally described french naturalist des nature later changed currently valid type specimen long immature male caught near queensland australia common names species shark blind shark morphological analysis carpet sharks showed genus meaning phylogenetic relationships shark sister species resolved distribution habitat range shark extends southern coast new_guinea northern coast australia far south sydney great barrier reef contains particularly large population thousands estimated inhabit reefs additionally reports species malaysia sumatra sharks found shallow water maximum depth seen water barely deep cover bodies prefer tidal pools coral flats stands coral description shark elongated body half comprised slender caudal snout short rounded placed tip pair tiny grooves running mouth tooth rows upper jaw tooth rows lower jaw teeth small broad bases triangular eyes oval shape elevated large pairs gill slits small fourth fifth close pectoral pelvic fins broad rounded similarly sized dorsal fins placed body anal fin low positioned caudal fin caudal fin upper lobe contains prominent ventral notch near tip angled horizontally relative body adult sharks brownish widely spaced brown spots subtle darker bands large black spot white located pectoral fin pair spots origin shark common juveniles alternating light dark bands body fins break mature sharks typically long maximum reported length biology ecology adaptation navigating complex reef environment shark moves seemingly walking bending body pushing substrate shaped pectoral pelvic fins similar example evolution shark capable swimming prefers walk sandy coral water deep allow swim freely supports shark paired fins reduced separated compared sharks allowing rotated use limbs mode enables shark crawl water access isolated tidal pools shark similar suggesting movements needed walking land facilitated evolution terrestrial sharks largely nocturnal active low water hide inside coral heads head covered rest body exposed perch open sandy flats atop reefs facing current form orientation known improve predator awareness sharks preyed larger fishes sharks coloration provides protective camouflage speculated distracting predators sharks parasitic stage larvae feed blood attach skin found inside mouth gills parasites cause little damage believed adversely affect health shark parasites species include species genus skeletal muscles blood gills stomach tolerance night shallow reef platforms inhabited shark isolated ocean tide dissolved oxygen pool drop overnight combined organisms pool shark evolved cope conditions able survive hours atmospheric level losing laboratory sharks survived hour oxygen unusual animals capable oxygen low temperatures responses shark low oxygen conditions heart ventilation rates drop sharply shark blood pressure falls half blood vessels deliver blood brain heart unlike bony fishes blood flow rate remains constant elevation blood levels brains sharks consume shark able lower energy demand reducing certain areas brain keeping sensory functional motor allows shark supply prevent death remaining alert environment feeding shark predator benthic crustaceans worms small bony fish shark diet consists worms crabs juveniles taking adults hunts actively dawn dusk feeding occur time day shark relies mainly senses locate hidden prey capable prey mouth expanding muscular cavity searching food shark turns debris snout head sand food items sand grains gill slits unlike sharks shark food minutes teeth depressed form flat surface crushing hard shelled prey life history mating shark takes place july december captivity reproduction occurs continuously courtship initiated female following biting male male holds pectoral fin female mouth lies alongside lasts half minutes sharks readily breed tanks small gallons larger tanks recommended allow room hatched offspring species females eggs august december female drops egg rarely time days producing total eggs year egg case measures long wide young emerge days length growth rate young slow increases year months males females mature sexually length corresponding age seven years human interactions sharks harmless humans handled captors easily observed handled slowly whilst water little fear humans shark injured encounters species readily captivity displayed public united_states canada australia article referred shark best shark home breed captivity tanks small gal grown sharks best housed tanks gal compatible community tanks eat fish assessed shark concern species common australian waters captured commercial recreational fisheries affected collection trade fishery australian habitat encompassed protected marine parks new_guinea shark assessed faces habitat degradation destructive fishing practices exploitation behaviour shark filmed detail bbc episode new documentary series named shark released 40th anniversary jaws documentary shows shark ability walk land hunting tide
Epaulette shark