California Moray Eel
The Gymnothorax mordax, appropriately named the California moray eel is
another one of the fascinating members of the moray species. The
California moray's skin features yellow blotches with a brown backdrop.
The eel has a pair of yellow eyes and a pair of protruding nostrils. The
California moray eel is found along the coasts of both California and
Mexico.
A large majority of California morays can be found around Catalina Island.
As a matter of fact, Catalina Island boasts its own Eel land, where
tourists can come and see various types of eels. Oddly enough, sightings
of the California moray have also been reported in the Galapagos islands.
While some might expect the California moray to have its own diet, it
actually feasts on the same foods its fellow eels do. The typical diet of
California moray consists of sea urchins, octopi, and small fish.
Behavior-wise, California morays share the shy nature of many eels in
their species. People who have actually seen this type of eel should know
first hand the extent of its timid nature.
California moray eels only expose the upper parts of their bodies
underwater – they keep the rest of their body hidden in crevices or coral
reefs. This, of course, is only while they’re not hunting. As for their
size, California morays tend to grow up to five feet in length. While
definitely not the longest eels, they certainly outnumber the length of
several eels in their species. In regard to life longevity, California
morays can live to be thirty years of age. This is rather impressive
considering the average lifetime of comparable eels.
More Information About Moray Eels
