The Sawfish and the Hammershark are two sea creatures that look like common tools. But why is this? Let's look at the science and find out for ourselves!
Physical Description and Behavior
The largetooth sawfish is easily able to be distinguished by its large rostrum that looks similar to that of a chainsaw. This rostrum is about 25% of its total length, which can be up to 25 feet. It is also harvested often for things such as shark fin soup and the selling of the "saw." Some sources claim that these fish can be as much as 1300 pounds or more.
The top part of this fish is a yellowish-brown color, while the bottom side is a bright white. This is probably to camouflage it from below. Many people say that they look and swim similar to that of sharks, but in fact, they are actually a species of ray.
They mainly use their saw as a way to dig up benthic crustaceans and other invertebrates, which makes up the majority of its diet. The saw might also be used to stun fish such as herring, making them far easier to catch and eat.
Habitat and Location
The largetooth sawfish is critically endangered, according to the IUCN RedList. Its population is on a decline. They are mostly found just a few meters below the surface. It is mostly going extinct due to human activities, such as overfarming and habitat destruction.
It can be found on the shorelines of pretty much every single continent. However, since we started tracking them, in many locations they have gone extinct. This is often due to overfishing, which happened in many areas over the past few decades.
To learn more about this amazing endangered fish, check out this video:
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