Moray Eels are Straight out of Alien

Summary

This episode of Animal Logic explores the fascinating world of moray eels, shedding light on their unique characteristics and behaviors. Despite their snake-like appearance, morays are fish, not reptiles, and are skilled hunters with a specialized hunting technique involving two sets of jaws. They rely on chemo reception and have poor vision, making them nocturnal predators. From their slippery, mucus-covered bodies to their intriguing partnerships with other fish, the episode delves into their diversity, anatomy, and fascinating life cycle, including the mysterious ribbon eel and its color-changing stages. This captivating look into moray eels also features a recommendation to watch *Deep Ocean* on Curiosity Stream for more marine wonders.

Takeaways

• 😀 Moray eels are often compared to science fiction creatures due to their unique and eerie characteristics.
• 😀 There are over 200 species of moray eels, and despite their snake-like appearance, they are actually fish.
• 😀 Morays lack scales and have a dorsal fin that extends along their back, joining with the caudal and anal fins.
• 😀 Morays have poor vision and primarily rely on chemo reception to detect prey, especially in the dark.
• 😀 Some morays, like the fangtooth moray, have large, sharp teeth used to catch slippery fish.
• 😀 Moray eels have two sets of jaws: their oral jaws with large teeth and the 'frenji' jaws in their throat that help pull prey down.
• 😀 Giant moray eels have been observed working with grouper fish to hunt, combining their different hunting styles for more effective results.
• 😀 Many moray eels open and close their mouths continuously to push water through their gills, contributing to their creepy reputation.
• 😀 Morays produce mucus from goblet cells in their skin, which provides protection against abrasions and may be toxic in some species.
• 😀 Ribbon eels, a fascinating type of moray, can change sex from male to female and are known for their striking blue and yellow colors.
• 😀 Moray eels can tie themselves in knots to pull prey out of crevices, showcasing their dexterity and adaptability in the wild.

Q & A

What is the main characteristic that all species of moray eels share?

All species of moray eels share the characteristic of being scaleless and adapted to live in small, narrow crevices.

Are moray eels related to snakes?

No, although moray eels may look like snakes, they are actually a type of fish and have evolved differently. They are scaleless and have a dorsal fin that runs along their back.

Why do moray eels have poor vision?

Moray eels are nocturnal and have poor vision because they rely on chemo reception, a sense that allows them to detect chemicals in the water, rather than their eyesight.

What is unique about moray eels' teeth?

Moray eels have very large, pointy teeth that help them grab slippery fish. Some species, like the snowflake moray, have blunt teeth used to crack open hard-shelled animals like crustaceans.

What is the purpose of the second set of jaws in moray eels?

Moray eels have a second set of jaws called 'pharyngeal jaws.' These jaws sit in their throat and help pull prey down into the eel’s body once it’s captured by the first set of jaws.

How do moray eels avoid generating waves when hunting?

Moray eels have openings on either side of their large mouths that allow water to flow through, preventing the generation of waves that might displace their prey.

How do giant moray eels work with groupers in hunting?

Giant moray eels and groupers have been observed teaming up to hunt. The grouper shakes its head to signal the moray to join the hunt, and both predators work together to catch prey.

What is the purpose of the mucus on moray eels' bodies?

Moray eels secrete mucus to protect themselves from abrasions caused by sharp rocks and coral in their environment. Some species also produce toxic mucus for added defense.

How do ribbon eels use mucus in their environment?

Ribbon eels use their mucus as a form of glue to hold together the sand in their burrows, which helps keep their living spaces intact.

How do moray eels reproduce?

Moray eels lay eggs, and males fertilize them. When the larvae hatch, they are free-swimming and translucent before they mature into adult eels.