Walking shark found in Papua New Guinea is new to science

A shark capable of walking on land, primarily out of the water, has been discovered as a new species on the shores of Papua New Guinea.

The local community has long been familiar with this peculiar creature, often observed moving across reef flats during low tide. They refer to it as kadedekedewa, meaning “dog shark” or “lazy shark”.

Sharks belonging to the genus Hemiscyllium, commonly known as walking sharks or epaulette sharks, utilize their pectoral fins much like legs to maneuver around. These sharks are found only in Australia and New Guinea.

The newly identified species is named Hemiscyllium dudgeonae in honor of Christine Dudgeon from the University of the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia. She was part of the team that officially identified the species.

Dudgeon first encountered this shark after midnight in March 2025, while swimming in a meter-deep water meadow of seagrass in Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea.

She was initially searching for another species, Hemiscyllium michaeli, known to inhabit the nearby waters. “Because it was so late and I had been in the water for a while, I was a bit over it,” she recalls. “Then I just saw one swimming along the bottom.”

Using her torchlight, she spotted the nearly three-quarters of a meter long shark, which froze defensively. She then captured it using a jiujitsu-like technique called the “flip and tuck”. “You sort of just flip them over and tuck the tail under your armpit and it stops them from wriggling away,” she explains.

After securing the shark, she passed it to her colleague, Jess Blakeway, who was in a nearby boat.

“From the color pattern alone, it was evident that this shark was distinct from the other species we study and know,” observes Blakeway, also at the University of the Sunshine Coast.

There are nine known species of walking sharks, all of which feed on small invertebrates on the seafloor and exhibit similar body sizes and shapes. They can be distinguished by their unique skin patterns and colors.

The species the team initially expected to find has a leopard-like pattern. “This new one features numerous spots and dashes, reminiscent of braille or morse code,” notes Blakeway.

In the days following the initial discovery, the researchers captured 11 more individuals from three nearby locations. Three were retained for further study, while samples were taken from the remaining nine before their release.

Subsequent DNA analysis in the laboratory confirmed that this newly discovered shark is genetically distinct from other species in its genus.

Walking sharks in Papua New Guinea are under severe threat due to habitat destruction from coastal development, palm oil plantation expansion, and coral bleaching.

The researchers believe H. dudgeonae is likely found only in Milne Bay and is possibly the most endangered species within the group.

“This species enhances Papua New Guinea’s remarkable biodiversity, but it is at risk of local extinction without immediate conservation efforts,” warns Blakeway.