Eels arent exactly well known for their beauty but theres no denying that a select few species of moray are the most fabulous creatures in the ocean. Take a look at this guy for example. Its notoriously difficult to rock leopard print without looking like mutton dressed as lamb but some people have just got it. In truth though, despite the flashy paint job, these creatures wouldnt make the best fashion accessory or handbag dog replacement. Moray eels have a horrendously nasty bite that has been known to sever the fingers and thumbs of divers countless times. Things arent helped by a natural instinct to pull back when a creature latches onto you. Moray teeth dont let go as easily as one might expect (the mouth has to be literally pried off) and so yanking your hand away is probably going to do more damage than good. There is even some evidence to suggest that moray bites are toxic to varying extents between species. Like the blue dragon, some types of eel are capable of eating other venomous sea life and retaining the toxins for themselves to use as a defence. There are also some varieties of moray whose mouths produce anticoagulant chemicals like the crown of thorns starfish, preventing the victims wound from clotting effectively. The moray eel's biggest claim to fame though is the scene from Jaws where everyone compares scars, with Hooper claiming that one bit right through his wetsuit. The royalties for a role in that movie are probably whats paying for all that leopard print.
Peter Austin initially joined WhatCulture as an occasional contributor to our Film, Gaming and Science sections, but made the mistake of telling us that he'd been making videos in his bedroom for over a decade. Since then he's been a vital member of our YouTube team and routinely sets the standard for smart-casual wear in the office.
