It seems like just about everything here in Izu is cute (or perhaps I'm only taking photos of the cute things?)...even the sharks.
Here's a Japanese bullhead shark (Heterodontus japonicus), which doesn't exactly fit the popular media stereotype (perhaps stereohype is a better term?) of sharks.
This is a juvenile, about 50cm to 60cm long. During this time of year, there are quite a few of these juveniles around, apparently quite often just sitting on the bottom like this, minding their own business.
They are bottom feeders, grabbing crustaceans, small fish, molluscs and the like...so they're no threat to people. And up close, their scrunched up faces and little pug snouts are really quite endearing.
