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'Walking' shark discovered in Indonesia
Phys.Org ^ | 08-30-2013 | Staff

Posted on 08/30/2013 11:49:52 AM PDT by Red Badger

A new species of shark that "walks" along the seabed using its fins as tiny legs has been discovered in eastern Indonesia, an environmental group said Friday.

The brown and white bamboo shark pushes itself along the ocean floor as it forages for small fish and crustaceans at night, said Conservation International, whose scientists were involved in its discovery.

The shark, which grows to a maximum length of just 80 centimetres (30 inches) and is harmless to humans, was discovered off Halmahera, one of the Maluku Islands that lie west of New Guinea.

Bamboo sharks, also known as longtail carpet sharks, are relatively small compared to their larger cousins, with the largest adult reaching only about 120 centimetres (47 inches) in length.

They have unusually long tails that are bigger than the rest of their bodies and are found in tropical waters around Indonesia, Australia and Papua New Guinea.

Conservation International said the discovery of the shark, which was first disclosed in the International Journal of Ichthyology, "should help draw diver interest to this mega-diverse but largely undiscovered region".

Ketut Sarjana Putra, Indonesia country director for the group, said the Hemiscyllium halmahera shark could "serve as an excellent ambassador to call public attention to the fact that most sharks are harmless to humans and are worthy of our conservation attention".

Conservation International, whose scientists discovered the shark along with colleagues from the Western Australian Museum, added it came at a time when Indonesia was increasing its efforts to protect shark and ray species.


TOPICS: Outdoors; Pets/Animals; Science
KEYWORDS: bambooshark; fish; godsgravesglyphs; ichthyology; indonesia; landshark; ocean; shark
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To: Red Badger

Old Guy: Gonna need a faster walker


21 posted on 08/30/2013 12:08:52 PM PDT by Starstruck (If my reply offends, you probably don't understand sarcasm or criticism...or do.)
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To: Red Badger; AceMineral; Aevery_Freeman; a fool in paradise; Alex Murphy; Altariel; ...

22 posted on 08/30/2013 12:10:47 PM PDT by null and void (Bush: Cowboy Diplomacy. Obama: Rodeo Clown Diplomacy.)
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To: Red Badger

Nothing new. I saw one on Saturday Night Live 30 years ago.


23 posted on 08/30/2013 12:19:23 PM PDT by Alex in chains
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To: null and void

24 posted on 08/30/2013 12:24:25 PM PDT by cripplecreek (REMEMBER THE RIVER RAISIN!)
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To: Red Badger

Hmmm... I discovered female walking sharks in bars around Pensacola when I was in flight training...


25 posted on 08/30/2013 12:36:18 PM PDT by pabianice
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Don't let FR fade away! Donate.

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Donating Monthly would be Ideal.
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26 posted on 08/30/2013 12:37:19 PM PDT by RedMDer (http://www.dontfundobamacare.com/)
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To: pabianice

They’re still there............


27 posted on 08/30/2013 12:43:55 PM PDT by Red Badger (It is dangerous to be right in matters where established men are wrong. .....Voltaire)
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To: Red Badger

Walking Shark, how stupid can these people be?

We have a million of them in America.

We call them lawyers.


28 posted on 08/30/2013 12:44:27 PM PDT by Wurlitzer (Nothing says "ignorance" like Islam! 969)
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To: Wurlitzer

....and ONE OF THEM IS DEFINITELY FROM INDONESIA...........


29 posted on 08/30/2013 12:45:28 PM PDT by Red Badger (It is dangerous to be right in matters where established men are wrong. .....Voltaire)
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To: nickcarraway

LOL! “Burglar”


30 posted on 08/30/2013 1:17:00 PM PDT by andyk (I have sworn...eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.)
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To: Vaquero

LOL. The SyFy channel is going to rebroadcast it on Monday... along with a multitude of other cheesy shark movies.


31 posted on 08/30/2013 3:32:44 PM PDT by ken in texas (Obama schedule- Nice weather: golf, else play spades with Reggie)
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To: Darksheare; Lakeshark; null and void; derllak

We so do, lol! Walking AND driving-a-Hummer-shark!


32 posted on 08/31/2013 7:41:05 AM PDT by Borax Queen
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To: Borax Queen; Darksheare; derllak
A driving, surfing, boating, fun, 1%er chick magnet.

It's difficult to get me upset, but if someone gets on the wrong side of me, watch out.........

Because I walk softly, and carry a big chomp....................:-)

33 posted on 08/31/2013 8:36:42 AM PDT by Lakeshark (KILL THE BILL! CALL. FAX. WRITE.)
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To: Lakeshark; Borax Queen; null and void; derllak

Don’t forget the skin denticles.
Skin like sandpaper, the special morning wakeup call.


34 posted on 08/31/2013 10:41:19 AM PDT by Darksheare (Try my coffee, first one's free.....)
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To: StayAt HomeMother; Ernest_at_the_Beach; decimon; 1010RD; 21twelve; 24Karet; 2ndDivisionVet; ...

"walks" along the seabed using its fins as tiny legs
Note: this topic is from 8/30/2013. Thanks Red Badger.

35 posted on 01/18/2015 5:35:28 AM PST by SunkenCiv (Imagine an imaginary menagerie manager imagining managing an imaginary menagerie.)
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To: kaehurowing; Red Badger; AceMineral; Aevery_Freeman; a fool in paradise; Alex Murphy; Altariel; ...
Sharknado ping!


36 posted on 01/18/2015 9:18:45 AM PST by null and void (The aggregate effect of competitive capitalism is indistinguishable from magic)
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