[ 08.2009 | Mannheim ]
I had no idea that there are approx. 200 species of morays. but that’s why we read, listen and learn. a moray is an eel-like predatory fish that lives in warm seas, often in costal-near areas. they typically hide in crevices with just the head sticking out. moray eels have sharp teeth, are often marked with bright colors & patterns, and can reach a size of up to 4m.
I remembered them as being rather ill-tempered and particularly vicious animals. that’s how they’re pictured in Disney’s Little Mermaid, for example. isn’t it weird how long first impressions sometimes last?! – how much we are stuck in stereotyped thinking?! in reality, the rather cautious and secretive morays hide from humans and would rather flee than fight – exceptions are attacks in self-defence or because of mistaken identity. I heard their actual behaviour towards mermaids isn’t that well explored yet…
sources: a-z-animals.com | disney.wikia.com