WOLF EEL FRIENDLY LICENSE
WOLF EEL FRIENDLY PLUS

They move very slowly and are very sedentary in general. Wolf eels can cause their prey a great deal of pain, but they are not ferocious or dangerous animals outside of this situation. The wolf eel’s appearance along with the protruding jaw and fangs make adult wolf eels look intimidating to potential predators. Wolf eel eggs can also be vulnerable to these small predators, particularly if they are not being closely guarded by a parent. They can more easily fall prey to even smaller predators, such as rockfish and kelp greenling. However, these adults are still somewhat vulnerable to becoming prey to larger eels, seals, sharks, and other large aquatic predators.īecause juvenile wolf eels are smaller and do not have the same intimidating appearance in jaw strength, they are more vulnerable at this stage.

The visible teeth, large eyes, and rugged appearance help an adult wolf eel scare away many potential predators. The appearance of this fish is intimidating not only to humans but to other animals as well. Do Wolf Eels Have Predators?Īdult wolf eels are not as vulnerable to predators as their juveniles.

Seeking food is thus a very important part of the routine and survival of the wolf eel. During this time, the male and female take turns leaving the clutch to hunt for their prey. The eggs incubate for four months before hatching. Wolf eel males and females mate for life and then tend to their clutches of up to 10,000 eggs. However, this can actually damage their back teeth. The jaws and teeth of wolf eels have specifically adapted to be able to crunch down on the hard outer shells of animals such as sea urchins, crabs, snails, sand dollars, abalone, clams, and mussels.Įven though their jaws and teeth are adapted to crush crunchy prey, they have been observed in captivity to prefer soft food, such as squid, when given the choice. They wait for a crunchy animal to swim by for them to bite down on. In order to eat, they maneuver their long bodies into different crevices in their habitat and only stick their heads out. The diet of the wolf eel consists of fish, in addition to marine animals with hard shells, including echinoderms and crustaceans.

WOLF EEL FRIENDLY LICENSE

©USEPA Environmental-Protection-Agency / public domain – License What Do Wolf Eels Eat?

WOLF EEL FRIENDLY PLUS

Wolf eel teeth consist of three rows of molars on the top and two rows of molars on the bottom, plus two fangs to pierce prey. Adult wolf eels are able to hunt and prey on different types of animals. Juveniles have underdeveloped jaws and teeth, so they generally feed on plankton. They are significantly smaller, and their jaws are not powerful at this point.Īlthough wolf eels are voracious eaters at all ages, their diet changes throughout their lives.

Juvenile wolf eels are much more vulnerable to predators than their adult counterparts. The rows of strong molars towards the back of the mouth crush and grind the prey so that the wolf eel can swallow it. The teeth in the front resemble fangs and are meant to pierce the wolf eel’s prey. They have three rows of molars on the roof of the mouth, as well as two rows on the bottom jaw. Wolf eel teeth have somewhat of a round shape in the back of the mouth, and an adult wolf eel can have dozens of molars. Typically, there are four to six of these teeth, which have a conical shape. In the front of the mouth, the canine teeth are notably spiky and sharp. There are three rows on the upper jaw and two on the lower jaw. The 8 Best Children’s Books About Sharks Available Today A wolf eel is not actually an eel, but it is a type of fish.

Wolf eel friendly