While many people have a fear of sharks, the majority likely won't come across a shark in open waters ever in their lives. However, researchers recently discovered a species of "walking sharks" that could make a fear of sharks seem a bit more rational. These sharks have the ability to "walk" using their fins on dry land.
The team of researchers recently discovered four new species of "walking sharks" while studying a previously known species, and published their findings in the journal Marine & Freshwater Research. While these sharks don't have the ability to walk up on land and attack people they gain an advantage by slinking along the seafloor rather than swimming. "Instead of swimming around, these little bottom-dwelling sharks actually 'walk' using their pectoral and pelvic fins," said co-author Mark Erdmann.
These sharks are typically found in the waters off of Northern Australia and are generally smaller in size. Still, not much is known about walking sharks and the researchers plan to continue studying these new species that they claim evolved this ability in recent years. Hopefully this doesn't lead to the existence of walking great whites.
Via New York Post
