The eel with a second set of jaws that launch out of its throat
This eel hides a second set of jaws in its throat, and they shoot forward to drag prey down.
Which one is REALLY true about the Moray Eel?
The short version
Moray eels hunt inside tight reef cracks where there is no room for suction feeding, so they evolved pharyngeal jaws — a second toothed set deep in the throat that launches forward into the mouth, grabs the prey and hauls it back. It was only filmed in 2007 and inspired the creature in Alien.
Why it's so weird
- ✓The Moray Eel hides a second set of toothed jaws deep in its throat, called pharyngeal jaws.
- ✓The Moray Eel cannot pull in with suction like most fish, because it hunts inside reef cracks too tight to make suction work.
- ✓The Moray Eel shoots those inner jaws forward into its mouth, clamps onto the , and drags it back down its throat.
- ✓The Moray Eel was only caught on film using its hidden throat jaws in 2007, long after scientists suspected they were there.
- ✓The Moray Eel inspired the creature in the movie Alien, the one that lunges out with a second set of jaws.
The Moray Eel is about 1.2× as long as a 7-year-old! 🤯
The full story
This eel has a second set of jaws hidden inside its throat, and they launch forward to grab you. Meet the moray eel. Most fish feed by suction, opening their mouths fast to pull water and prey inside. But a moray hunts inside tight cracks in the reef, where there is no room to create that suction. So it evolved something else. Deep in its throat sits a second pair of jaws, called pharyngeal jaws, complete with their own teeth. When the moray bites, those inner jaws shoot forward into its mouth, clamp onto the prey, and drag it back down the throat. Biologists only managed to film it in 2007, and yes, it is exactly what inspired the creature in Alien. Follow for more weird animal facts.
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“The Moray Eel hides a second set of toothed jaws deep in its throat, called pharyngeal jaws.”
“The Moray Eel spends most of its life out of the water, walking and climbing on dry land.”
“The Moray Eel cannot pull prey in with suction like most fish, because it hunts inside reef cracks too tight to make suction work.”