Interesting Eel Facts
Diving in Phuket offers a vibrant underwater experience, with moray eels being one of the most fascinating creatures you are likely to encounter. Hardly a dive goes by without spotting these intriguing animals, as they inhabit nearly every known dive site in the area. With their snake-like bodies and curious behaviour, moray eels captivate divers and add excitement to any underwater adventure. In this blog, we’ll explore some interesting facts about moray eels, shedding light on their unique characteristics, behaviours, and the vital role they play in the marine ecosystem. Whether you’re a seasoned diver or a curious enthusiast, these eel facts are sure to enhance your appreciation of these remarkable creatures.
Facts
There are over 200 different species of eels worldwide, with several common ones found in the waters around Phuket. Among these are the Giant Moray, Honeycomb Moray, Zebra Moray, Ribbon Eel, Garden Eel, Fimbriated Moray, and White-Eyed Moray. These diverse species make the local Phuket dive sites exciting and vibrant places to explore.
The largest of these is the Giant Moray, which can grow up to 3 meters in length and weigh as much as 30 kilograms. This impressive size makes the Giant Moray one of the most remarkable eels you can encounter in the ocean.
Interestingly, a baby eel is known as an elver. Eels have a varied lifespan, living anywhere from 3 to 36 years, depending on the species and environmental conditions.
Eels are known for their incredible migratory journeys, travelling up to 4,000 miles to find a suitable mate. They prefer warm water temperatures and abundant food sources to support their journey and reproduction. When mating, eels engage in a unique wrapping dance with their partner for several hours. During this time, the female releases up to 10,000 eggs, which develop into larvae and live as part of the plankton for up to a year before maturing.
One fascinating aspect of eels is their hermaphroditic nature, meaning they possess both male and female reproductive organs. This characteristic allows for greater flexibility in reproduction and contributes to their widespread distribution across the world’s oceans.
These intriguing creatures play a vital role in maintaining the health and balance of marine ecosystems, making them an essential part of the underwater world.
Two jaws!!
Eels have a fascinating anatomical feature: they possess two sets of jaws. The second set, known as pharyngeal jaws, is equipped with teeth and plays a crucial role in their feeding mechanism. When attacking prey, these pharyngeal jaws move forward, gripping and dragging the prey back into the eel’s throat and stomach. This unique adaptation, combined with their razor-sharp teeth, which point in various directions, makes them highly effective predators.
Eels are covered with thick, scaleless skin that can secrete mucus. This mucus serves multiple purposes, including protection against parasites and abrasions. In some eel species, the mucus is even toxic, providing an additional defence mechanism against predators.
These intriguing creatures can be found at depths ranging from just one meter to 50 meters. Eels typically spend most of their time concealed in rock crevices and caves, lying in wait to ambush unsuspecting prey. Despite their snake-like appearance, eels are not reptiles; they are true fish, belonging to the class Actinopterygii.
Eels are distributed worldwide, inhabiting oceans, rivers, and lakes. However, they have a preference for warmer waters, which explains why they are so commonly encountered in tropical diving destinations like Phuket, Thailand.
Divers in Phuket often encounter eels during various scuba diving activities, including day trips, the PADI Open Water Course, the PADI Discover Scuba Diving experience, and the PADI Advanced Open Water Course. These encounters offer a fascinating glimpse into the behaviour and adaptations of these remarkable creatures, enriching the overall diving experience.
