26 



DANGEROUS MARINE ANIMALS 



When swimming in waters inhabited by the great barracuda, pre- 

 cautions should be taken not to attract their interest unduly. When 

 swimming in the company of the great barracuda, treat it with 

 respect and caution — this may be that rare one that bites. 



Fig. 7. Top: Jaws of the Great Barracuda, Sphyraena barracuda, showing 

 the large knife-like canine teeth. (After Gudger) Bottom: Skull and jaws of 

 a typical moray eel, Gymyiothorax, showing the sharp canine teeth. (After 



Gregory) 



MORAY EELS 



Moray eels are members of the family Muraenidae, which con- 

 tains some 20 or more species. (See Frontis.). They are largely con- 

 fined to tropical and subtropical seas, although several temperate 

 zone species are known. Gymnothorax mordax (Ayres), the moray 

 eel of California and Muraena helena Linnaeus, of Europe, are 

 examples of the latter group. Although moray eels are notoriously 

 powerful and vicious biters, they seldom attack unless provoked. 

 When wounded, they can inflict severe lacerations with their nar- 

 row muscular jaws, which are armed with strong, knifelike, or 



