Huge moray eel comes at scuba diver for a close inspection
Moray eels are among the ocean's most misunderstood creatures. Up to 2m (6 feet) long, with large heads and fearsome jaws, these animals are widely feared. They are known to have a second jaw, located in the throat, referred to as a pharyngeal jaw. These jaws move forward to seize prey and pull it deep into the moray eel's throat. Moray eels are the only animals known to use pharyngeal jaws to actively capture and restrain prey.
Despite their reputations as ferocious beasts, moray eels rarely bite humans, and in the rare cases where it has happened, the incidents have been related to irresponsible feeding and misunderstanding. Moray eels have poor eyesight and can mistake a hand for food if they are being fed by scuba divers.
Hollywood movies that depict these animals as aggressive contribute to the misconceptions. Although the eels are capable of inflicting serious wounds with their large teeth, they demonstrate no desire to bite people.
Eels are more intelligent than they are given credit for. They have been found to engage in cooperative hunting with groupers. Groupers will approach the eel and perform a head shaking behaviour, communicating to the eel that they are ready to hunt. The eels can work their heads into crevices where fish hide, flushing out the prey and giving the grouper the opportunity to catch them.
For scuba divers who understand these beautiful creatures, they are a welcome sight. This eel was seen swimming in the open. It was as curious about the scuba divers as they were about it.
-
1:51
WildCreatures
13 days ago $2.50 earnedHerd of zebras rolls happily in the clay near African village
2.44K3 -
59:34
World Nomac
1 day agoI visited Bangkok Thailand's CRAZIEST Places 🇹ðŸ‡
1.16K2 -
1:40:49
MTNTOUGH Fitness Lab
20 hours agoJim Shockey: How A Legend Is Coping With Loss With A Resilient Mindset
8652 -
20:45
ShaunJonesFitness
15 hours agoMike Tyson Loses His Cool With Reporters. Jake Paul GETS PERSONAL! Press Conference REACTION
1.01K1 -
17:50
JoBlo Originals
15 hours agoWhat Happened to Collateral?
6.55K38 -
42:11
TheTapeLibrary
14 hours agoThe Scariest Japanese Urban Legends
20K6 -
17:01
Melonie Mac
15 hours agoStreamer Says Men are the Problem with Gaming
20.3K52 -
10:48
Fascinating Horror
1 day agoA Brief History of Death by Selfie | Fascinating Horror
28.6K10 -
6:45
ErmzPlays
23 hours agoThe Helldivers 2 Player Count is FREEFALLING
27.8K2 -
57:20
Kimberly Guilfoyle
1 day agoNOTHING TO BRAGG ABOUT: Sham NY Case Implodes, Live with Jeffrey Clark & Larry Elder | Ep. 127
67.1K72