MARINE ANIMALS THAT BITE 25 



species of mantas, they have been more recently grouped together 

 under the single species M. birostris. 



BARRACUDA 



Reports concerning the danger of attacks from barracudas are 

 conflicting, probably due to the fact that there are about 20-odd 

 species, which differ greatly in their aggressiveness. True bar- 

 racuda are members of the family Sphyraenidae, and are all vora- 

 cious carnivores. Some of the species are harmless because of 

 their small size.. We found this to be true of a large school of 

 Sphijraena chinensis Lacepede, in the Marshall Islands, where our 

 divers consistently swam among them without concern, and in no 

 instance did they attempt to attack, nor on the other hand, did the 

 barracuda demonstrate undue fear of man. The same can be said 

 for the Pacific barracuda, Sphyraena argentea Girard. 



However, under the proper circumstances, the great barracuda, 

 Sphyraena barracuda (Walbaum) (Fig. 6, Bottom) is said to be 

 an exceedingly pugnacious and dangerous foe. According to 

 Gudger (1918), who made an extensive study of the biology and 

 habits of the great barracuda, this fish is feared more than sharks 

 in some areas in the West Indies. 



The great barracuda may attain a length of 6-8 ft. The mouth 

 is large and filled with enormous knife-like canine teeth (Fig. 7). 

 They are swift swimmers, striking rapidly and fiercely. S. bar- 

 racuda is found in the West Indies and Brazil, north to Florida, 

 and in the Indo-Pacific from the Red Sea to the Hawaiian Islands. 

 In general, species of barracuda are widely distributed throughout 

 tropical and sub-tropical waters of the world. 



Skin divers report that barracuda are attracted by anything 

 which enters the water, particularly bright-colored objects. They 

 will follow divers by the hour, but have been seldom known to 

 attack an underwater swimmer. 



Medical Aspects. Barracuda wounds can be differentiated from 

 those of a shark since the former are straight cuts, whereas those 

 made by the shark are curved like the shape of their jaws (Fig. 7, 

 Top). 



Treatment. Bites should be treated in the same manner as shark 

 bites. See Page 22. 



Prevention. Barracuda are attracted by bright-colored objects 

 and will strike at any speared fish that a diver may be carrying. 



