Why do moray eels have second jaws?
Show answer & explanation
Answer: Pulling prey down throat
Breathing while eating — Wrong. The second jaw is for feeding mechanics, not breathing. Moray eels pump water through their mouths for breathing separately.
Pulling prey down throat ✓ — Correct! Moray eels have pharyngeal jaws—a second set of jaws in their throat! When they bite prey with their main jaws, the second jaws shoot forward (like the Alien movie!), grab the prey, and pull it down the throat. Most fish suck in prey with water; morays living in crevices can't, so they evolved this alien-like solution!
Grinding shells into pieces — Wrong. Morays eat fish and octopus whole, not shelled prey. The second jaw is for gripping and pulling soft prey, not crushing shells.
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