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What does a sawfish look like?
What type of fish is a sawfish?
What is a sawfish Ray?
What does a sawfish snout look like?
Sawfish, also known as carpenter sharks, are a family of rays characterized by a long, narrow, flattened rostrum, or nose extension, lined with sharp transverse teeth, arranged in a way that resembles a saw. They are among the largest fish, with some species reaching lengths of about 7–7.6 m (23–25 ft). [2]
Their bodies are somewhat shark-shaped, but their pectoral, or front fins, have a flat, triangular shape to them. By far, their greatest distinguishing characteristic is their extensive “saw” or rostrum. Though quite large, each species is slightly different in average size. The smallest species grows to a length of about 10 ft. long.
- Sawfish are equipped with a versatile weapon. The famous rostrum of the sawfish is primarily used to incapacitate and capture prey. It can be swept sideways like a sword to injure or kill, and is also used to pin unfortunate fish to the sea floor so they can be eaten head-first, a feeding strategy thought to disable any defensive spines their quarry might possess.
- Their ‘saw’ contains between 14-37 denticles on each side. The sharp ‘teeth’ are not actually teeth in a traditional sense, and are called denticles – which are highly specialized scales.
- The rostrum is a multi-purpose survival tool. Packed into the rostrum of every sawfish are thousands of tiny organs called electroreceptors, which are able to pick up the tiny electrical currents produced by living organisms.
- When danger threatens, sawfish aren’t afraid to fight back. Sawfish have been observed in the wild using their rostrums to fend off large predators. The teeth lining the sides of the rostrum are extremely sharp, and although sawfish are placid towards divers, people are regularly injured while attempting to catch them for profit.
The sawfish is a member of the Pristidae family and is distinguished by its characteristic saw-like rostrum. It has a distinct look that separates it from other marine organisms, with a long, flat body and a serrated snout.
Sawfish are part of the Rajiformes order—a group of flattened marine fish that include rays and skates—and are closely related to sharks. Two species of sawfish are found in U.S. waters: the wide or smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata) and the largetooth sawfish (Pristis perotteti).
Sawfish are a shark like ray, meaning while they may have a body shape that looks more similar to a shark, they are a type of ray and more closely related to a stingray than a great white shark. You can tell a ray from a shark, by the location of the gills.
Sep 4, 2023 · The sawfish is a unique species of fish that is known for its distinctive appearance and fascinating behavior. In this article, we will delve into the world of the sawfish, exploring its characteristics, habitat, diet, life cycle, and the threats it faces.
