Zebra moray
Gymnomuraena zebra
- Not on exhibit
- Animal type
- Fishes
- Ecosystem
- Coral reefs
- Relatives
- Other moray eels and ribbon eels; Family: Muraenidae
- Diet
- Crabs and other crustaceans, clams and other molluscs, sea urchins
- Range
- Red Sea to Panama to the Hawaiian Islands
- Size
- Up to 5 feet (1.5 m)
Meet the zebra moray
Shy and retiring, the zebra moray holes up in crevices and under ledges on the wave-swept outer edges of coral reefs. At night, it comes out to hunt, prowling the reefs in search of crabs, clams, and other hard-shelled prey. Its teeth tell the tale of its diet. While some morays have sharp, pointed teeth for grabbing and holding on to fishes and other slippery prey, the zebra moray has flat, platelike teeth—perfect for crunching hard shells.
Conservation
Coral reefs around the world are in danger. Silt (fine soil) smothers coral when it washes off the land from farm fields, roads and building sites. More towns and resorts near shore mean more sewage, oil and chemicals in the water. Global warming and changes in weather patterns create conditions that corals can't survive.
Cool facts
- Tucked into crevices with only their heads sticking out, moray eels look menacing as they constantly open and close their mouths. But they're not making threats, that's just how they breathe.
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