10 Amazing Moray Eel Fun Facts: Discover Their Secret World!

1. Sinister Serenade

When moray eels open wide, they're not just singing their own reimagined version of Ariana Grande's "Break Free" – they're gracing you with a sinister serenade starring their gnarly second set of jaws: Turns out, snowflake moray eels possess a set of pharyngeal jaws that help them chow down on larger prey, such as crabs, shrimp, octopus, and squid, both in and out of water, making them the ultimate reef rockstars and apex predators.
Source => oceanbites.org

2. Jaws of the Deep

Forget Monsters, Inc., the real jaw-dropping hidden scarer can be found under the sea: moray eels come equipped with a secret weapon, an extra set of jaws hidden in their throats that shoot forward, gripping their prey and pulling it down in one swift movement, while their backwards-pointing teeth ensure no slippery escape, all thanks to their outstanding sense of smell!
Source => blog.blueotwo.com

Did you know electric eels aren't actually eels? Discover how these 8-foot long, 45-pound shockers navigate murky waters and stun their prey using high-voltage blasts. You'll be "electrified" by these fascinating facts!

=> Fun Facts about Electric-Eels

3. Eel Gossip

Step aside, water cooler gossip - Ribbon eels are spilling the tea under the sea: These aquatic chitchatters communicate with each other by releasing a unique chemical into the water and producing a high-pitched clicking noise that lasts a few seconds.
Source => ofacts.org

4. Buddy System

It's no sitcom, but even in the ocean, the buddy system works wonders: Grouper fish and giant moray eels have been observed teaming up in cooperative hunting expeditions, where the groupers signal their eel pals to join forces, resulting in a formidable catch rate that's five times more effective than going solo – a prime example of cross-species collaboration in the wild!
Source => moleculestomammals.com

5. Eel Moonwalking

Moray eels have been spotted moonwalking the ocean floor just like Michael Jackson on a dance stage: This slippery sensation uses undulatory swimming, creating a wave-like motion that moves from head to tail, allowing them to perform up to eight backward swimming cycles before resting or switching to their forward groove.
Source => journals.biologists.com

6. Land and Sea Hunters

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water... or on land: Moray eels boast an exceptionally powerful and mobile set of pharyngeal jaws, located behind their primary ones, allowing them to not only spring forward to ambush their watery meals, but also to chomp down on prey outside their aquatic abode, making them one of the few fish types capable of hunting and feeding in both realms.
Source => livescience.com

7. Shy But Mighty

If moray eels had a dating profile, they'd describe themselves as "laid-back, a bit shy, and not a fan of clingy folks": These serpentine sea-dwellers are not aggressive towards humans, tending to swim away from approaching divers or snorkelers due to their poor eyesight that makes it tricky to differentiate between friend and foe. But hey, let's not push our luck – maintain a safe distance, as these cool cucumbers still pack a punch with their powerful jaws and sharp teeth.
Source => masterliveaboards.com

8. Alien-like Moves

Sharks might be terrorizing the big screen, but it turns out the moray eels are the ones with the killer moves, like a slippery, underwater Alien: Moray eels possess a second set of jaws called pharyngeal jaws, located in the back of their throat, which grab prey and pull it into their digestive system, making them crafty predators that feast on an array of smaller fish, crabs, and even octopuses.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

9. Love Navigation

Who needs GPS when you're an eel with an unbreakable instinct for love? These serpentine navigators would put Magellan to shame as they embark on their quest to mingle and relinquish their juicy eggs! Alright, fish puns aside: Moray eels have the astounding ability to migrate thousands of miles, with European eels making the trek from Norway to the Sargasso Sea – a journey of up to 4,971 miles – all in the name of procreation.
Source => animals.howstuffworks.com

10. Dental Doppelgangers

Moray eels are basically the evil twins of the dental world – a double set of chompers to rival any braces-wearing teenager's dreams: Hidden in their throats lies a secret weapon called pharyngeal teeth, allowing them to break down and devour prey, while their peers in the fish realm make do with a single set of teeth for all that crushing and grinding action.
Source => a-z-animals.com