Introduction: to the Pelican Eel
The pelican eel is one of the most unusual and mysterious creatures found in the deep ocean. It is also called the gulper eel because of its huge mouth, which looks like a pelican’s beak. This deep-sea fish lives far below the surface, where sunlight doesn’t reach. Even though it looks scary, it’s not dangerous to humans.
In this article, we will learn about the pelican eel’s appearance, habitat, diet, behavior, and interesting facts. We’ll also explore how it survives in such dark and harsh conditions.
Table of Contents
What Does the Pelican Eel Look Like?
A Mouth Like a Pelican
The most unique thing about the pelican eel is its large mouth. It can open its mouth wide enough to swallow prey much bigger than itself. That’s why it’s often compared to a pelican. When its mouth is closed, the eel looks thin and small. But when it opens its mouth, it becomes huge and round like a balloon.
Long and Thin Body
The pelican eel has a long, skinny body that can grow up to 3.3 feet (1 meter) in length. Its tail is very long and whip-like, which helps it swim slowly in the deep sea. Unlike many other fish, the pelican eel does not have pelvic fins. Its small pectoral fins are used to move around gently in the water.
Dark and Shiny Skin
This deep-sea creature has dark black or brown skin that shines in the light. However, since it lives in the dark ocean, its skin helps it blend in and stay hidden from predators.
Where Does the Pelican Eel Live?
Deep in the Ocean
The pelican eel lives in the deep sea, usually at depths between 1,600 to 9,800 feet (500 to 3,000 meters). This part of the ocean is called the midnight zone because no sunlight reaches there. It is always dark and cold in this zone.
Worldwide Habitat
Pelican eels are found in many parts of the world, including the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. However, they are not often seen because they live so deep underwater.
What Does the Pelican Eel Eat?
A Unique Way of Hunting
The pelican eel’s large mouth is useful for catching prey. It opens its mouth wide and uses its body like a net to trap small fish, shrimp, and other sea animals. Once the prey is inside, the eel quickly closes its mouth and swallows it whole.
Bioluminescent Tail
One of the coolest things about the pelican eel is its glowing tail. The end of its tail has a light-producing organ called a photophore. This light may be used to attract prey in the dark ocean, similar to how a flashlight works in the dark. When small creatures come close to the light, the eel quickly catches them.
How Does the Pelican Eel Survive?
Adapting to the Deep Sea
Life in the deep ocean is hard. It’s cold, dark, and has very high pressure. But the pelican eel is specially built to survive there. It doesn’t need a lot of energy because it moves slowly and only eats when food is nearby. Its body is soft and flexible, which helps it handle the strong pressure of deep water.
Rarely Seen by Humans
Because they live so deep, pelican eels are rarely seen by people. Scientists often find them only when they use special deep-sea cameras or when the eels are caught in deep-sea fishing nets by accident.
Interesting Facts About the Pelican Eel
Not Really an Eel
Even though it’s called a “pelican eel,” this creature is not a true eel. It belongs to a different family of deep-sea fish known as Eurypharyngidae. It only looks like an eel because of its long, snake-like body.
No Stomach?
The pelican eel doesn’t have a regular stomach like other fish. Instead, its large mouth and expandable throat help it store food until it’s digested. This is useful in the deep sea, where food is rare.
Can Inflate Its Mouth
When the pelican eel feels threatened or wants to catch prey, it can inflate its mouth like a balloon. This not only helps in feeding but may also scare away predators.
Glows in the Dark
Its tail glows using bioluminescence, which means it can make its own light. This is a common ability in deep-sea animals and helps them find food or mates in the dark.
How Do Pelican Eels Reproduce?
Rarely Observed Behavior
Scientists know very little about how pelican eels mate and reproduce. Because they live so deep, it’s hard to study them in their natural environment. However, researchers believe that pelican eels may die shortly after reproducing.
Male and Female Differences
Some reports suggest that male pelican eels have larger nostrils than females. This might help them find a mate using smell. However, more research is needed to understand this better.
Why Are Pelican Eels Important?
Part of the Deep Sea Ecosystem
The pelican eel is an important part of the deep-sea food chain. It helps control the population of small fish and shrimp. At the same time, it serves as food for larger deep-sea predators like whales and sharks.
Helps Scientists Learn
Studying the pelican eel helps scientists understand how life can survive in extreme conditions. It also gives us clues about the creatures living in one of the least explored parts of Earth.
Challenges in Studying the Pelican Eel
Hard to Catch and Observe
Since pelican eels live so deep in the ocean, it is very hard for scientists to study them. They use deep-sea submarines or remote-operated vehicles (ROVs) to reach such depths. Sometimes, pelican eels are caught in special nets, but they usually do not survive long at the surface because of the pressure difference.
Need for More Research
Many things about the pelican eel are still unknown, such as its full life cycle, behavior, and population size. More research is needed to protect this and other deep-sea creatures in the future.
Fun Facts About the Pelican Eel
- The pelican eel can open its mouth as wide as its entire body.
- It has no scales on its skin.
- Its stomach can expand to fit large prey.
- It can survive in near-freezing temperatures.
- Its glowing tail may be used to lure prey or communicate.
Conclusion
The pelican eel is one of the most fascinating creatures of the deep sea. With its huge mouth, glowing tail, and mysterious lifestyle, it captures our imagination and curiosity. Even though much about it is still unknown, what we do know shows how amazing life can be in the deepest parts of the ocean.
