Moray eels are often mistaken for sea snakes but belong to the fish family. Despite their serpentine appearance, moray eels are not typically aggressive towards humans unless threatened.
Most fish have bony gill covers located on both sides of their bodies. The fish open and close these covers to expel water and breathe. However, since the moray eel doesn’t have bony gill covers, it must pump water through its gills with its mouth.
Their sense of smell is so sensitive that they use it to track prey hidden from view.
Moray eels have not one but two sets of jaws. The first set of jaws and teeth, known as the pharyngeal jaws, is located in the eel’s throat, grabbing prey and moving it towards the eel’s stomach. The second set of jaws with its tiny sharp teeth, the maxillary jaws, is located in the eel’s mouth.
