Students Discover New 'Walking Shark' Species in Papua New Guinea
A PhD student spotted an unusual shark crawling along the seafloor in Papua New Guinea and realized she'd found a species new to science. The discovery adds to our understanding of these unique paddle-finned creatures that "walk" across coral reefs.
Jess Blakeway was diving off Papua New Guinea's coast in 2025 when she spotted something unusual walking across the seafloor. The small shark had white dashes along its brown body instead of the leopard-like spots she expected to see.
Blakeway, a student at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia, immediately brought the creature to her supervisor, Chris Dudgeon. What happened next surprised everyone on the research team.
"Straight away I recognized that the color pattern was different from any of the other species I had worked with before," Blakeway said. The team carefully measured the shark and collected tissue samples before returning it to the ocean.
Over the next two nights, they found 11 more sharks with the same distinctive pattern. The researchers completed more than 70 diving and snorkeling surveys across 35 sites to document their discovery.
After months of genetic analysis back in Australia, the team confirmed they'd found a new species. On June 15, the discovery was officially recognized in the Journal of the Ocean Science Foundation.
The researchers named it Dudgeon's walking shark after their colleague, who has studied these creatures for over two decades. "New shark species don't come along that often, and it's most definitely the first one named after me," Dudgeon said.
Walking sharks get their nickname from four paddle-shaped fins that help them navigate along the seafloor. These small sharks stretch just 2.5 to 3.5 feet long, making them much smaller than their great white relatives.
They live in the Coral Triangle, a massive marine area spanning 2.3 million square miles across six countries. The nocturnal sharks play a crucial role by feeding on crabs, shrimp, and small fish while "walking" across reefs.
The Bright Side: This discovery shows there's still so much to learn about our oceans. Finding a new species in 2025 reminds us that scientific exploration continues to reveal nature's hidden wonders.
The research team plans to return in October to gather more data about the Dudgeon's walking shark. Their work will help conservation groups assess whether the species needs protection from habitat loss and climate change.
Every new species discovered helps scientists better understand and protect marine ecosystems for future generations.
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Based on reporting by Good Good Good
This story was written by BrightWire based on verified news reports.
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