Head to head
Snipe Eel vs Gulper Eel
The snipe eel and gulper eel are both bizarre-jawed deep-sea eels, but their feeding strategies and body proportions differ dramatically.
| Snipe Eel | Gulper Eel | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Nemichthyidae | Eurypharynx pelecanoides |
| Jaw shape | Curved apart, cannot close | Enormous, loosely hinged, expandable |
| Feeding style | Snags shrimp antennae with hooked teeth | Engulfs prey whole in a pouch-like mouth |
| Nickname basis | None comparable | Resembles a pelican's throat pouch |
| Notable ability | Can regenerate its tail | None comparable documented |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Population trend | Stable | Unknown |
| Habitat | Ocean | Ocean |
Snipe Eel vs Gulper Eel: common questions
How do the snipe eel and gulper eel catch prey differently?
The snipe eel snags the antennae and legs of shrimp using tiny backward-curving teeth on jaws that cannot fully close, while the gulper eel engulfs prey whole using an enormous, loosely hinged, pouch-like mouth resembling a pelican's throat.
Why is the gulper eel also called the pelican eel?
The alternative name pelican eel refers to the way the gulper eel's expandable lower jaw and throat pouch resemble the stretchy throat pouch of a pelican, which similarly expands to help engulf large amounts of food.
Can the snipe eel regenerate parts of its body like the gulper eel?
The snipe eel is specifically documented as capable of regenerating part of its long tail if lost, an ability not documented as a defining trait of the gulper eel.