Moray Eel

A family of eels known as moray eels is widespread around the world and is distinguished by its fearsome jaws and aggressive behavior. Although getting bitten by a wild animal is rare, it is possible if you are swimming in one of its habitats. Morays have also been known to bite persons who tried to feed them at home.

If not treated in a timely manner, a bite from one of the larger species can result in a severe laceration or possibly the loss of a finger. Because some moray species have a variety of poisons in their systems, including ones that can kill red blood cells and delay clotting, their bite wounds can be exceptionally painful and bleed more than those from other fish species. Fortunately, their chosen habitats, generally brackish water bodies, are not the best places to swim, thus encounters with people are quite uncommon.

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Anguilliformes
Suborder: Muraenoidei
Family: Muraenidae