Page 124 - (DK) Super Shark Encyclopedia: And Other Creatures of the Deep

DEMON

STINGER

SPINY DEVILFISH

The spiny devilfish is almost impossible to spot on
a brightly colored bed of a tropical reef. Sometimes
it is even half buried in the sand. The devilfish crawls
along the ocean floor using its fins like legs. Then
it waits very still for prey to come close before lunging
with its enormous mouth. It has little to fear: with
venomous spines sticking up from its back, it will give
a nasty shock to any shark unwise enough to make a
grab. These dangerous spines have even been known
to kill a human.

AT A GLANCE

• SIZE 7–10 in (18–25 cm)
• HABITAT Coral reefs, lagoons, and
sometimes around estuaries—usually
over sand or mud, and often buried
so it cannot be seen
• LOCATION Eastern Indian Ocean
and western Pacific from China south
to Australia
• DIET Small fish, shrimp, and crabs

STATS AND FACTS

SPINE LENGTH
The venomous spines
1
in ½ 1 1 ⁄2
of the devilfish form
part of the fin that
cm 1 2 3 4 5 runs along its back.
approx. 1¼–1¾ in They stick up when
(3–4.5 cm)
danger threatens.
SPAN OF PECTORAL FINS
in 2 4 6 8
VENOMOUS SPINES
cm 5 10 15 20 25
17
approx. 6–9 in (15–22 cm) UP TO

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