Pacific Hagfish (Eptatretus stoutii) - stock photo

The Pacific Hagfish, scientifically known as Eptatretus stoutii, is a jawless, eel-shaped marine species that belongs to a unique group of primitive vertebrates known as hagfishes. These creatures are found in the cold waters of the Pacific Ocean, along the coasts of North America. Hagfish are known for their unusual feeding habits and remarkable adaptations. They possess a slimy exudate that they can release when threatened, creating a protective mucous cocoon that makes it difficult for predators to grasp them. The Pacific Hagfish feeds on the soft tissues of dead or dying fish and marine invertebrates, using its rasping tongue-like structure to scrape off flesh. While often considered "living fossils" due to their ancient lineage, hagfish play a crucial role in marine ecosystems by contributing to the decomposition of organic matter on the ocean floor.