Which shark is known for using its fins to walk across the seafloor?

The epaulette shark is known for using its fins to walk across the seafloor.

This small carpet shark moves by alternating its muscular pectoral and pelvic fins, producing a stepping motion that resembles walking. It uses the behavior on shallow reef flats, where it can travel across exposed or poorly oxygenated areas and reach prey hidden among rocks and coral.

Epaulette sharks occur around northern Australia and New Guinea, including tide pools and shallow reefs. Their ability to tolerate short periods of low oxygen is unusual among vertebrates and helps them survive when tidal water movement is limited.

The name epaulette refers to the large dark spot behind each pectoral fin, which resembles a military shoulder ornament. The shark is not literally walking on jointed legs; its fins and body muscles create a distinctive terrestrial-looking crawl. It is also called the walking shark, though several related shark species show similar fin-assisted movement.