During the summer of 2014, the Fort Worth Zoo welcomed a 5-year-old male epaulette shark (Hemiscyllium ocellatum) that joins a female currently on exhibit. Native to Australia and New Guinea, this species can be found in shallow waters where they use their slender physique to squeeze through reef crevices on their nightly prowls for prey. We all know that sharks can swim, but have you seen a shark walk? A unique feature that separates it from other shark species, the epaulette shark has a muscular pectoral fin that allows it to “walk” and wriggle on its paired fins to get around to hunt. Perhaps the most distinctive feature on these slender scavengers are the large, black dots just above each pectoral fin, which resemble the shoulder decorations on military uniforms, which are called epaulettes – hence the name. Be sure to stop by the shark tank in the Great Barrier Reef on your next visit to see our two epaulette sharks.