Moray Eels facts
While investigating facts about Moray Eels Are The Largest In Their Species and Moray Eels Jaws, I found out little known, but curios details like:
Moray eels has a 2nd set of jaws that hides in the throat, but comes forward to grap and transport its prey from their mouth to the stomach, like the creature from the Alien movies
how moray eels eat?
Moray eels (along with many other species) have a second fully-functioning set of extendable jaws at the base of their throat. They alternate biting and pulling with these so that the meal is never released as they attempt to swallow live prey.
What do moray eels eat?
In my opinion, it is useful to put together a list of the most interesting details from trusted sources that I've come across answering what do freshwater moray eels eat. Here are 50 of the best facts about Moray Eels Little Mermaid and Moray Eels Dangerous I managed to collect.
what moray eels eat?
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Moray eels have a second set of jaws called "pharyngeal jaws" that extend out of their mouth to grab prey and drag it into their esophagus, similar to the Xenomorph in Alien.
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Teeth are pointed backwards, preventing the slippery prey to escape.
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Moray eel has a long and slender body which resembles to snake, but they do not belong to the group of reptiles - they are true fish.
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Although moray eel is one of the top predators in the water, it is often hunted by other large sea creatures such as sharks and barracudas.
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Moray eel uses specific technique while hunting other animals. They grab a prey using the element of surprise and wrap its body around it until it becomes flattened enough to be swallowed. Other option is to tear apart the victim and eat it one bite after another.
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Moray eels have a second set of jaws within their throats which slingshot forward and pull prey into their digestive system.
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Like all other fish, moray eel breathe using the gills. They are located behind the head, in the form of the two circular openings. Moray eel keeps its mouth open (not because they are ready to bite any second, but) because it needs to provide constant circulation of the water toward the gills.
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Mating season happens every time water temperature and food sources reach the optimal level. Male and female wrap their bodies together for couple of hours. During this time, female can release up to 10 000 of eggs that will be fertilized by the male's sperm. Fertilized eggs will develop into larva which swims as a part of the plankton (up to year) until it becomes large enough to come back to the bottom of the sea, where it will start its life as a fully formed moray eel.
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Moray eel has large eyes, but does not see well. It has a good sense of smell, which helps it locate the prey.
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The Moray Eel has a second, retractable jaw much like the Xenomorph in Alien
Why are moray eels friendly?
You can easily fact check why do moray eels hide among the corals by examining the linked well-known sources.
Unlike other eels, moray eel has two sets of sharp teeth. First set is located in the jaw and other in the throat. Teeth located in the throat are used for breaking up of the food and for facilitated digestion.
Color of the moray eel varies from black to yellowish brown. Underside of their body is pale.
Size of the Moray eel depends on the species. It ranges in length from 6 inches to 15 feet. Average weight of the moray eels is 30 pounds.
Natural enemies of yellow-headed jawfish are moray eels, frogfish, scorpion fish and triggerfish.
Marine life that can be found in the Gulf of Thailand includes banded sea snakes, longfinned banner fish, batfish, hawksbill turtles, porcupine fish, trigger fish, jellyfish, whale sharks, hermit crabs, giant grouper, white eyed moray eels, seahorses, yellowtail barracudas, sea cucumbers, and blue spotted stingrays, among many other species.
When do moray eels eat?
Moray eels have a second set of jaws (called pharyngeal jaws) that come up out of their throats to help capture their prey. It's like Alien.
How moray eel defend themselves?
Moray eels produce slippery substance, acting as protective mucus, which covers their body. Mucus of some species contains toxins.
Common sea life that can be found in the Philippine Sea include sea snakes, octopus, moray eels, shark, and sea turtles.
Moray Eels form friendships with divers, showing signs of affection and even remembering them after years with no contact!
Moray eel spends most of its time hidden in the caves and rock crevices on the bottom of the sea. It attacks like an ambush predator that is waiting for the perfect prey to appear.
The alien in Ridley Scott's "Alien"s second jaw is based off of a real animal. The moray eel has a second jaw that comes out of it's throat to drag its prey into its stomach