Did you know that a hagfish produces slime? My animal is the hagfish, but it is not like a normal fish. The hagfish is a slime producing worm-like eel. It has no jaw and lives on muddy sea floors. There are many more interesting facts to learn about the hagfish, such as their relatives, young's birth, why they are ectothermic, movement, and adaptations.

First, I will tell you about some of the hagfish's characteristics, like how it has no scales. It has no scales so it won't get stuck when they burrow into a fish. Hagfish don't have a jaw. Instead they have rasps on the top of their tongue.

Another interesting thing is the birth of the hagfish. Newly born hagfish look just like the adults. It's the same way when a baby worm is born, it looks like their parents. The hagfish has direct birth. There is no larva stage. The birth is like a human. There is no larva stage either. They are slow in reproduction and that is endangering their future because they're over fished. They are used for their meat and skin in Asia.

Third, is that my animal is an ectotherm. The hagfish has gills. It has gills just like a fish. Being cold blooded means that they can live in cold water. Like the turtle, it allows itself to live in cold climates.

In addition to why they are ectothermic, their movement is very unique. The hagfish is a free swimmer. It uses its tail. Sea Snakes use their tails also. Using their tail they create waves with their body, called anguilli for swimming. Eels use the same swimming technique.

Next, one of the hagfish's relatives is the lamprey. For one, their bodies are alike. The lamprey has an eel-shaped body just like the hagfish. Neither of them have jaws,either. The hagfish has rasps, but the lamprey have suction cups around their mouth.

Because of the hagfish's body, it is capable of making adaptations for survival. For example, if a fish tried to eat a hagfish, it would know to produce slime. In the end, the attacking fish would have a mouth full of slime. The hagfish ties itself into a knot for survial. The hagfish does so to wipe the slime off their bodies so they won't suffocate.

Finally, the home of the hagfish is a place we all know as the ocean. The hagfish can be found in chilly waters up to 72 degrees. They are usually found on the muddy sea floors. You can also find them near dead or dying fish because that's their main diet.

That was my report on the hagfish. I hoped you enjoyed listening to the way it moves, its birth, its habitat, and it's adaptations.