Images of a wolf eel driver#

One juvenile is even known to have travelled a minimum of 1,000 km having been tagged in Port Hardy, BC and foundВ back in Willapa Bay, Washington two years later. The juveniles settle into the adult sedentary lifestyle between theВ ages of 6 months and 2 years (presumably dependent on food supply and den availability). Having a long tail also allows them to den-up, curling up and around in narrow spaces between rocks and. The long tail serves in locomotion, powering them forward with big, slow, s-shaped waves while being stabilized with the long dorsal and pectoral fins (see video below). They are the only member of their family that have this body shape.

Images of a wolf eel driver#

This is likely another driver for the maleвЂ™s having such fleshy heads вЂ“ they are better able to survive the wounds inflicted by such battles.Д¬learly, another unique feature about this species is their eel-like body. They do also sometimes need to do battle for den space with a Giant Pacific Octopus. As adults, the females are smaller and a darker brownish grey (both remarkably camouflaged for when they are in their rocky dens). Both male and female juveniles are brownish orange and look even more eel-like, lacking the big head of the adults.

In aquariums, their life expectancy is known to be at least 28 years. Wolf-Eels have long-lasting pair bonds, coming together when they are around 4-years-old and having their first clutch when they are around 7. The males do compete for females who will sometimes opt to swap dens and go live with the competitor.В Sound like any other species you know? Wonder if it happens at mid-life? рџ‰ The mature males do carry battle wounds supporting that they donвЂ™t just hang out in dens waiting for a snack to come by, but rather that they will occasionally duke it out with other male Wolf-Eels.It was long thought that Wolf-EelsВ always mate for life but, this is not always the case. Mature male bearing the scars of battle В©2011 Gord Jenkins. If the features of an animal appear foreign to you, it is because it fulfils a role in Nature that is truly awe-inspiring possibly even beyond your imaginings. There is no ugly in Nature вЂ“ only perfection. Such is the way when there is misunderstanding and disrespect for something you love. It hurts when people say this about Wolf-Eels. For more information on Giant Pacific Octopuses, click here for previous blogs and here for a blog specifically on hunting in Giant Pacific Octopus.ДonвЂ™t say it, please donвЂ™t say it.For more information on Wolf-Eels (including that they are not an eel at all), see my previous blog here.Video and photos contributed by dive buddies Katie Morgan and Diane Reid while on our trip with GodвЂ™s Pocket Dive Resort. I hope this 3-minute clip allows you to share in the awe and excitement.ДЇor me, this was the NE Pacific Ocean equivalent of seeing a giraffe, elephant and rhino in close proximity. It was an exciting day in this wonderful marine neighbourhood. THEN, a Decorator Warbonnet emerges as well. In this encounter, the octopus passes directly over a mature male Wolf-Eel in his den. ItвЂ™s a fortunate enough thing to be able to watch a large Giant Pacific Octopus when it is hunting. It is one of the most remarkable encounters I have witnessed in all my dives. Giant Pacific Octopus passing over a mature male Wolf-Eel in his den.