Lamprey fish have terrifying teeth and no jaw — but there's a global movement to save this living fossil 
By Jessica Schremmer and Anita Ward CA Source: abc 9/11/2020
Jessica Schremmer and Anita Ward
The blood-sucking, ancient lamprey might look spooky, but its evolutionary and culinary history is setting fishermen, conservationists, and chefs across the globe on a mission to preserve the living fossils in decline.
 

As one of the most primitive


"They have an oral disc with several quite savage looking teeth inside and they use this to attach to larger fish out in the ocean, raft a hole then feed on blood and fluids and even chunks of flesh," SARDI research scientist Chris Bice said.

"They only feed in the marine environment and as soon as they move into freshwater [from saltwater] and start their upstream migration, they stop feeding.

"So, whilst they may look a bit savage, they are of no risk or danger to humans."

 
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