For years, people living near southeastern Papua New Guinea have known about a strange shark that moves across reef flats when the tide goes out. Instead of simply swimming, the creature uses its fins to “walk” along the seafloor. Scientists have now confirmed that this unusual animal is a completely new species. The discovery has excited researchers, but it also comes with concerns that the shark could already be at risk because of environmental threats, according to a report by Smithsonian Magazine.
The waters around Papua New Guinea have revealed another surprise from the natural world. A shark known locally as kadedekedewa, meaning “lazy shark” or “dog shark,” has now been officially identified as a new species after scientists studied its unusual movements and genetics.
