Meet the epaulette shark, a small but remarkable species found on shallow reef flats of the Great Barrier Reef. Known for their ability to “walk” across sand and coral using their fins, these sharks can survive in low-oxygen conditions by slowing their heartbeat—an adaptation that helps them thrive in tidal pools. Their name comes from the distinctive black spot behind each pectoral fin, resembling a military epaulette. A military epaulette is a type of ornamental shoulder decoration worn as par