28 August 2012

Ribbon eel

Like many eels, the ribbon eel is sometimes thought to be angry or aggressive, because its mouth is often open, appearing ready to strike. In reality, the eel is simply breathing. In the wild, the ribbon eel buries itself in sand or hides in rocks or reefs, dashing out to feed on shrimp and fish.


The Wikipedia entry also notes that a ribbon eel can live to be twenty years old, and is the only moray eel that is protandric (born a male, but changes to a female during its lifetime).

Filmed in the ocean off Lembeh, Sulawesi, Indonesia.  Video found at Neatorama.  To me, the creature looks like a piece of living Christmas candy.

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