Snowflake Eel Head And Pharyngeal Jaws

3D Model

This is the head of a snowflake eel, Echidna nebulosa. The skull and pharyngeal jaws are visible. These second jaws can be deployed to assist in grasping and swallowing prey.

This particular specimen I found floating in an aquarium store tank and the shop owner said I could have it. The specimen was CT scanned at the Florida Museum of Natural History’s Nanoscale Research Facility. Unfortunately, the specimen itself was thrown away before it could be accessioned.

The whole body is also available if you’re interested.