Buzz
NIGHTMARE FUEL: An image of a sea creature is going viral online after Ethan Tipper from Newcastle captured it at... Posted by NBN Television on Monday, February 15, 2016
Recently, Ethan Tippa, an Australian Facebook user, sparked online buzz by sharing a photo of a strange creature found on the shores of Lake Macquarie in New South Wales. While some likened it to a misshapen crocodile or even the Loch Ness Monster, marine biologist Julian Pepperell confirmed it was a nocturnal pike eel. Despite being common in Australian and Southeast Asian waters, these creatures remain largely mysterious. Though not enormous, mythical, or dangerous to humans, encountering one during a late-night swim would still be unsettling.
1. THEY’VE BEEN KNOWN TO STARTLE FISHERMEN.
The exact cause of this pike eel’s demise is unclear, but Pepperell suggested to the Newcastle Herald that it might have been accidentally trapped in a fishing net. He explained that fishermen often reel in these aggressive predators, only to be startled by their violent thrashing and sharp, slashing teeth.
2. THEY CAN REACH ALMOST 6 FEET IN LENGTH.
Pike eels can surpass the height of an average human, with the species typically growing up to 5.9 feet from head to tail. Despite their size, they aren’t as massive as some might assume from the viral photo. The eel in the image is believed to have measured around 4.5 feet long. While some speculated the picture was digitally altered, the illusion is simply due to a strategic camera angle.
3. THEY’RE FEROCIOUS HUNTERS.
For those who frequently swim in Indo-Pacific waters, there’s no need to worry—pike eels aren’t interested in humans. Their diet consists mainly of crustaceans and benthic fish found near the muddy bottoms of estuaries and coastal areas. These eels are known to dive as deep as 330 feet in pursuit of their prey.
4. THEY INHABIT A WIDE RANGE.
Pike eels are frequently seen near the shores of Australia and Southeast Asia, but their habitat extends across the Indian Ocean. They have even been discovered as far west as the southern coast of Africa.
5. THEY’RE A REGIONAL CUISINE FAVORITE.
Though pike eels may look fearsome, they are entirely edible. In Southeast Asian markets, they are sold both live and freshly killed, often used in soups or grilled dishes accompanied by mushrooms, eggplant, or seaweed. They gained culinary fame as a mystery ingredient in an episode of the classic Iron Chef series.
Header image courtesy of Ethan Tippa via Facebook.
