Category: Animals

This category is dedicated to animal related topics

Shark Fact Sheet: Epaulette Shark

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The Epaulette Shark(Hemiscyllium ocellatum), also known as the Walking Shark,  is quite a unique fish; it can “walk” for short distance on its paddle-shaped pectoral and pelvic fins. However they are capable of swimming. The Epaulette Shark is classified in the order Orectolobiformes and the family Hemiscylliidae.

GenusHemiscyllium
SpeciesH. ocellatum
Binomial NameHemiscyllium ocellatum
Length70 cm to 1.1 m(2’3.6″-3’7.3″)
Weight2.7-2.9 kg(6-6.4 lbs.)
DietCarnivore
IUCN StatusLeast concern

Range and Habitat

Epaulette Sharks inhabit shallow reefs of Australia and New Guinea.

Identification

The Epaulette Shark has a white-margined black spot behind each pectoral fin, which resemble … Continue

What Are Chondrichthyes?

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Chondrichthyes are a class of animals made up of cartilaginous fish that have skeletons primarily composed of cartilage. The fish classified in Chondrichthyes include, sharks, rays, skates, sawfish, and chimaeras.

Chondrichthyes can be divided into two sub classes:

Elasmobranchii. Sharks, rays, and skates  are classified in Elasmobranchii. Members of the Elasmobranchii have no swim bladders, rigid dorsal fins, and their eyes have a tapetum lucidum.

Holocephali. Chimaeriformes is the only surviving order classified in the sub class holocephali.  Chimaeriformes is made up of  chimaeras, ghostsharks, rabbitfish, ratfish, and spookfish.

Physical Characteristics

All chondrichthyans breathe through five to seven pairs … Continue