Wolf Eel Skull Replica

Description

Wolf eel skull replica measures 5.1 x 3.1 x 5.0 inches. The Anarrhichthys ocellatus is museum-quality polyurethane resin cast of a California Academy of Sciences specimen. 1:1 scale. Made in USA.

The wolf eel belongs to the family Anarhichadidae, commonly known as the wolf fishes. This unique marine-ray-finned fish inhabits the North Pacific Ocean. Despite its common name and physical appearance, it does not represent a true eel.

The species remains the only member of the monotypic genus Anarrhicthys. Wolf eels differ from true eels because they have paired gill slits and large pectoral fins. The animal grows up to 7 feet 10 inches in length. They can weigh up to 41 pounds.

Younger wolf eels feature a vibrant orange body with large dark spots on their posterior sections. Once they grow older, they turn gray, brown-grayish, or dark olive. They have powerful jaws to crush their hard-shelled prey.

Sharp canine teeth line the front of the mouth, while flat molars fill the back portion. A single dorsal fin extends from the head to the end of the body. This long fin contains 228 to 250 flexible fishbones without a soft radius.

Scientific Classification

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Actinopterygii
• Order: Perciformes
• Family: Anarhichadidae
• Genus: Anarrhichthys
• Species: A. ocellatus
• Binomial name: Anarrhichthys ocellatus
• Conservation Status: Least Concern

The wolf eel skull offers a great tool for teaching predatory marine mechanics. Visitors can easily see the wolf eel’s round, back crushing molars versus the straight, sharp fangs of a payara wolf fish skull replica.

Displaying this wolf eel beside a thin, sharp-toothed moray eel skull replica shows the different jaw shapes. Visitors can also view the wolf eel’s skull right next to the spotted eagle ray jaw replica with the flat crushing plates.