Over 100 species of moray eels live among rocks and corals off the coasts of British Columbia, Canada, south to Mexico, and on the Atlantic coast of North America, as well as parts of Europe. We’ll look at a few of the many species.
These eels, looking at you with sharp-toothed mouths open, can frighten the bravest of men if they are not aware that moray eels aren’t usually a threat. Their mouths are always open to breathe.
They are an odd combination of speckled blue, red, brown and gray colors. One, for instance, is dark brown all over, except for bulging blue eyes with black pupils. Another, found off the coast of Florida, is the green moray - a long, thin, round-bodied variety. Another is well-named speckled, for its whole body is a combination of small white dots on a dark background.
Other unusual ones include a brown and white one named slender and another called ribbon, because its body is about the size and shape of a huge snake. It is primarily blue, but its head and a few other parts are orange. Still another, looking much like the speckled but in lighter white and brown shades, is known as the dragon.
Unless provoked or frightened, moray eels are almost always friendly toward divers who are careful to not get too close or frighten them. One diver tells of a frightening close call when trying to spear one in the Pacific Ocean. The moray was coming too fast for him and swam right at him with its mouth wide open. He knew he couldn’t outswim it, but surprisingly it didn’t bite him. Another diver accidently disturbed a hidden one when swimming around a sunken ship, and his hand reached into a part that happened to be the home of a small moray. Immediately one of his fingers was caught in its mouth, feeling like it was grabbed by a pair of pliers with needle points. The eel soon withdrew, but not before the sharp teeth left a painful cut the entire length of his finger.
When fighting, the eyes of morays, which normally just bulge a little, often stick out like little periscopes. Wise swimmers know that when a moray with its wide-open mouth comes their way with long teeth gaping, it’s time to get away.
The above Bible verse reminds us that many familiar with ocean waters have been impressed with the wonders of God’s creation. Another verse tells us: “Thou, art Lord alone; Thou hast made . . . the seas, and all that is therein, and Thou preservest them all.” Nehemiah 9:66Thou, even thou, art Lord alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee. (Nehemiah 9:6).
His eyes are looking on you too, and He wants you to know Him as your Saviour. Have you accepted Him?
FEBRUARY 6, 1994
ML-02/06/1994