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RODid you know there’s a shark that has the same pattern as a leopard? 🐆
And it’s called the leopard shark.
Their beautiful patterns aren’t just for show, they help these sharks blend into sandy seafloors as they search for fish, crabs, and clams. And with lifespans of up to 30 years, many return to the same bays year after year, a reminder of how deeply connected life is to place.
We are very lucky that here in Byron Bay each summer, Julian Rocks becomes home to one of the largest leopard shark aggregations in the world. Instead of finding just one or two resting on the sand, you’re likely to be surrounded by dozens, sometimes even up to a hundred, gracefully gliding through the water.
@leopardsharkproject have already identified nearly 500 individual sharks at this site, each one as unique as a fingerprint. The reason they gather in such numbers is still a bit of a mystery, it’s thought that Julian Rocks is an ideal location for mating, but what’s certain is that this is a globally significant place worth protecting.
It’s a reminder of how extraordinary our oceans are when left to thrive. 💙
Would you dive into the blue to swim among them?
#leopardsharks #wildlife #byronbay
@rosslongphoto
