The moray eel is the only animal that uses a second set of jaws to hunt.

Nature · Published 30 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Hidden deep within the throat of a moray eel lies a terrifying evolutionary secret: a second pair of jaws. While its primary mouth captures prey, these pharyngeal jaws launch forward to seize and drag food into the gullet, a unique mechanism that makes the moray a master of the reef.

Moray eels, members of the Muraenidae family, are masters of ambush. Unlike many fish that rely on suction to draw in prey, morays use their pharyngeal jaws to actively capture and restrain their meals. These secondary jaws, located far back in the throat, are equipped with their own tiny teeth. When a moray strikes, these jaws project into the mouth cavity to grip the target, effectively transporting it into the throat. This specialized anatomy allows them to hunt effectively in the tight crevices of coral reefs and rocky environments where they reside.

The moray's hunting prowess is further enhanced by its unique physiology. Because their small, circular gill openings are positioned far behind their mouths, they must maintain a constant gulping motion to breathe. This movement, combined with their wide jaw openings, allows water to flow out the back of the mouth during a strike. By reducing the water wave that would otherwise push prey away, the moray can lunge and bite with remarkable efficiency. Some species, such as the California moray, even possess teeth in the roof of the mouth that fold down to prevent prey from escaping during the transport process.

Beyond their predatory mechanics, morays exhibit a complex life cycle. Like other eels, they begin as transparent, ribbon-like larvae called leptocephali. These larvae drift in the open ocean for up to a year, feeding on plankton before settling into benthic habitats to undergo a dramatic metamorphosis. During this transition, they shed their larval teeth and undergo significant structural changes to adapt to their adult life. While most of the 80-plus species are marine, they display incredible diversity in form and diet, ranging from the crustacean-crushing snowflake moray to the massive giant moray, which stands as the largest species by body mass.

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