Hagfish Myxinidae Behaviour type territorial defensive The hagfish

Hagfish (Myxinidae) Behaviour type : territorial / defensive The hagfish is an eel shaped creature that is part of the jawless marine pre vertebrate family. Learned / innate : innate How does it assist survival: the Hagfish displays territorial and defensive behaviour to survive. When predators attack the Hag fish they squirt gill – clogging slime into the predators mouth. They have 90 – 200 slime pores that when stressed excrete slime. This is a defence mechanism, that protects the hagfish and allows it to live. The slime is very fast to excrete, in as little as 0. 04 seconds slime is in the mouth of the predator. This slime doesn’t cause the predator to die, it just activates a choking action that allows the hagfish to get free. The hagfish’s finds food by using four pairs of tentacles around their mouth. Scientists have found them feeding on carrion falls and discards from fisheries. They also scavenge the sea floors for sources of food. Something unique about the hagfish is that they can go months without food. Their skin absorbs nutrients in the oceans water. Fun Fact : To prevent choking on its own slime, a hagfish can “sneeze” out its slime-filled nostril, and tie its body into a knot to keep the slime from dripping onto its face. Watch the defence Behaviour!