Blind Shark
The blind shark, Brachaelurus waddi, lives only in Australian waters of the Pacific Ocean, from the Northern Territory to New South Wales, living in the near-shore reefs and sea grass beds. It is nocturnal, resting in reef crevices and caves in the daytime. Despite its name it is not blind, but has a habit of closing its eyes when held out of the water. It is related to the Colcloughs Shark, Heteroscyllium colcloughi. Blind sharks are light to dark chocolate brown with white specks on the back and sides. Juveniles have dark bands on the body that fade as they mature. It has has a slightly flattened head, small eyes and a nasal barbel projecting from both nostrils. A large spiracle is behind each eye which allows the blind shark to root around about in silt without affecting its breathing. They feed at night on anemones, cuttlefish, crabs, shrimp and small fish, and are very wary of divers. Blind sharks are ovoviviparous, producing eggs that are retained inside the female until hatching occurs, giving birth to live pups around six inches long. The reach around four feet long at maturity.
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