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Hagfish - Source: Supplied
Scientists have discovered the primitive hagfish, also known as a 'slime eel', can defend itself by emitting a noxious slime that chokes would-be predators.
Researchers from Massey University and Te Papa recorded underwater footage which shows for the first time the hagfish repelling sharks and bony fish using its gooey defence mechanism.
The footage, shot off Three Kings and Great Barrier Islands, captures the eel-like hagfish feeding while being attacked by various predators.
As soon as it is attacked the hagfish releases a mucus type substance from a battery of slime glands causing predators to gag before quickly retreating.
The protective qualities of the hagfish's slime have been theorised over for awhile, but this is the first time the behaviour of the unattractive fish been caught on camera.
Other new findings include the discovery that the hagfish is not only an ocean scavenger, but is also a predator.
Footage revealed its unusual method of burrowing into sand in pursuit of a red bandfish, and knotting its tail for extra leverage. It then nabs the prey before knotting itself and emerging from the sand.
Professor Marti Anderson from Massey University said the discoveries could explain more about the evolution of the creature.
"Taken together, the findings help to explain why the hagfish, a very primitive fish, has endured successfully for around 300 million years," she said.
Comparatively, modern humans have been around just 200,000
years.
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