Mediterranean moray

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

The Mediterranean moray has a long, snake-like body without scales, covered in smooth skin protected by mucus. Its colour is generally dark brown to blackish, marbled with yellow spots. Its head is broad, with an impressive mouth lined with sharp teeth. It often keeps its mouth open, not to threaten but to circulate water towards its gills.Its eyesight is limited, but it compensates with a highly developed sense of smell. Its small, tube-shaped nostrils enable it to detect prey in the water.It has a second, internal jaw involved in swallowing prey, together with a continuous dorsal fin running along the whole back to the tail.

WHERE DOES IT LIVE?

It lives in rocky areas, hiding in holes, fissures or beneath boulders. It can be seen from shallow water down to several dozen metres, sometimes deeper.

WHAT DOES IT EAT?

It mainly hunts by ambushing prey from its shelter. It mainly feeds on fish, crustaceans and cephalopods such as octopuses or cuttlefish.