A bizarre new species of ‘walking shark’ that strolls along the seabed using its fins has been discovered in the waters of Papua New Guinea.
The creature is the 10th known species of walking shark ever identified.
Researchers discovered the previously unknown species, named Hemiscyllium dudgeonae – or Dudgeon’s walking shark – during surveys carried out across eastern Papua New Guinea between 2023 and 2025.
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The discovery was published in the Journal of the Ocean Science Foundation on 15 June.
Walking sharks are a rare group of small carpet sharks that use their pectoral and pelvic fins to move across the seafloor, giving the impression they are walking.
Scientists first spotted an unusual colour pattern among walking sharks living around the Amphlett Islands that did not match any known species.
Further surveys uncovered 12 sharks across three locations, including males, females, juveniles and adults, all displaying the same distinctive markings, as reported by Whats The Jam.
Genetic testing later confirmed the animals belonged to an entirely new species.
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The shark was named after Australian researcher Christine Dudgeon in recognition of her two decades of work studying walking sharks and their evolution.
Dudgeon’s walking shark grows to around 80cm long and is covered in brown freckles dotted with distinctive white spots and dashes.
Researchers say its markings are noticeably different from those of closely related species, including Michael’s walking shark, which has a more leopard-like appearance.
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Like its relatives, the newly discovered shark lives in shallow reef environments, seagrass beds and mangrove habitats, often in waters less than five metres deep.
It is mainly active at night and uses its fins to move across reef flats and around coral outcrops.
The study found the species appears to be restricted to a small area of eastern Papua New Guinea, including the Amphlett and Trobriand Islands.
Researchers warn its limited range could leave it vulnerable to threats including habitat loss, climate change and overfishing.
Walking sharks are found only in northern Australia and the island of New Guinea.
Unlike many larger shark species, they spend their entire lives within relatively small home ranges and rarely travel long distances between habitats.
As part of the study, scientists completed 70 field surveys across coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangrove systems, collecting samples from 35 sites across Papua New Guinea.
Genetic analysis compared the newly discovered shark with all previously known walking shark species and confirmed it was genetically distinct.
Researchers say the discovery highlights just how much remains unknown about marine life in parts of the Pacific – and suggests more undiscovered species could still be hiding in remote reef systems.
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