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slimy THE EEL . I am New Zealand's Top Native Predator By Daniel Makowem . Here is a family portrait What do you think?. That is me in the front. ??????????????????????. Am I a FISH or Could I be a SNAKE ? I think I am a snake!. Noooooo … I AM A FISH!!!!!! .
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slimy THE EEL I am New Zealand's Top Native Predator By Daniel Makowem
Here is a family portrait What do you think? That is me in the front
?????????????????????? Am I a FISH or Could I be a SNAKE ? I think I am a snake!
Noooooo… I AM A FISH!!!!!! • Common Name: Long Fin Eel • Family Name: Fish (Pisces) • Scientific Name: Anguilla dieffenbachii
Life CycleLarvae • I hatched from an egg. • I floated on a current towards New Zealand in the ocean for 18 months. • I was 1mm long and weighed nothing.
Life Cycle Glass Eel • I floated to Wellington harbour. • I changed shape and became transparent. • I was about 5cm long. • I made my way into the Hutt River mouth and started my journey upstream to find my home.
Life CycleElver • Wow, I changed to an Eel colour. • My head got bigger and rounder. • At night I swam further upstream with my friends. • I had to climb up waterfalls. • I was able to stick to rocks.
Life Cycle Adult Eel • I am 15 years old – I am an adult : • I am snakelike and tubular. • I am darkish grey with a white belly. • I am slimy and smooth to touch…..yuk !!! • I have a fin along my back. • I can grow up to 2m long and weigh 30kg.
Summary of My Amazing Life Cycle I live just over ½ my life in fresh water and the rest in the ocean!
Why are we so COOL? • We look like snakes but we are fish! • We spawn in secret! • We are swimmers but can climb up waterfalls! • We hunt with our sense of smell!
More Reasons.... • We are secretive-that’s because we hide during the day and hunt at night. • We have over 100 vertebrae so our bodies are flexible. • We can stretch our bodies into small holes and attack. • We can slither across the land and dig in sand.
One More Reason…. • We can swim backwards and forwards.
Food Chain – Comparison JUNIOR - ELVER ADULT - EEL • Bottom of the food chain. • Predator -larger eel • Eat dead baby eels, ants, crabs, insects • The top of the food chain • Predator - humans • Eat fish, crabs, ducks, snails
Habitat – My Home • I have a really good habitat • I camouflage myself in murky water • I hide under rocks • I live in the Horokiri stream at Battle Hill farm (a boy called Daniel came to study meand took this photo)
My Migration – April 2025 • Physical changes. • Horokiri Stream into Hutt River into Ocean. • 100 Days • Fertilise eggs and then die.
PROTECT ME PLEASE Human kids protesting against commercial Long Fin Eel fishing outside Massey University
Bibliography • www.doc.govt.nz › Conservation › Native animals › Fish • www.teara.govt.nz/en/eels/page • www.teara.govt.nz/en/eels/page • Battle Hill Farm