Multimedia Gallery
Moray Eels Have Two Sets of Jaws
Moray eels have two sets of jaws--the oral jaws that capture prey and the pharyngeal jaws (similar to the jaws of the monster in the movie, "Alien") that advance into the mouth and move prey from the oral jaws to the esophagus for swallowing. This unique strategy to capture and consume prey was discovered during a research study, supported in part by the National Science Foundation.
This image accompanied NSF press release, "Moray Eels Are Uniquely Equipped to Pack Big Prey Into Their Narrow Bodies."
Credit: Zina Deretsky, National Science Foundation (after Rita Mehta, UC-Davis)
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