Sea Creature Gender Change: Can a creature change from male to female in its lifetime? It may seem like a science fiction story but it is a reality! There is a mysterious creature in the depths of the ocean that changes its gender as it grows older! Let’s know about this unique creature that changes its identity by changing from black to blue and then yellow.
Sea Creature Gender Change: A Mysterious Ocean Transformation
- The ribbon eel is one of nature’s most amazing creatures.
- It can change its life as well as its gender.
- Many facts related to this creature make it even more special in the marine world.
Nature is full of mysteries, and there are such unique creatures in it, which you will be surprised to know about! One such amazing creature is the Ribbon Eel, which changes its gender as it grows older!Yes, this sea creature is first born as a male and later turns into a female. This unique process makes it even more special in the sea world. Come, let’s know more interesting things about this mysterious creature!
What is Ribbon Eel?
- The ribbon eel is a beautiful and unique marine creature, which is different from the common eel fish. Its scientific name is Rhinomuraena quaesita and it is mainly found in the warm water areas of the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.
- Its body is long and thin, which looks like a ribbon, hence it is called “ribbon eel”.
- Its most distinctive feature is its bright colors, which keep changing with age.
- It usually hides in rocks and coral reefs and fills its stomach by eating small fishes and sea insects.
How does the gender of ribbon eel change?
The life of a ribbon eel is divided into three stages, in which both its colour and gender change! (Sea Creature Gender Change)
1) Black – Juvenile Stage
- When the ribbon eel is young, its color is completely black.
- At this time it is in the form of a young male.
2) Blue – Adult Male Stage
- When it grows up, its color changes to dark blue and it becomes a complete male.
- In this stage it is ready for reproduction.
3) Yellow – Female Stage
- As the ribbon eel gets older, its body gradually turns yellow.
- With this it now transforms into a female and becomes ready to lay eggs!
- That is, every ribbon eel begins its life as a male and later becomes a female.
Why does the ribbon eel change its gender?
- Some organisms in nature have a process called a Sequential Hermaphroditism,a in which organisms can change their gender. (Sea Creature Gender Change)
- In the case of ribbon eel, there are very few females in the sea, so when a male eel reaches an older age, it transforms itself into a female so that the reproduction process can continue.
- Due to this their population remains intact and their existence is not in danger.
- This is nature’s unique way of keeping the population of living beings balanced!
Where is this unique creature found?
Ribbon eel is mainly found in the Indo-Pacific region, i.e. –
- Indonesia
- Philippines
- Maldives
- Australia’s Coral Reefs
- Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India
They usually live in 30 to 60 meters deep sea and hunt by hiding in sand and coral reefs.
Know more interesting facts
- The ribbon eel can live up to 20 years!
- It is so flexible that it can pass through even the smallest holes.
- It has an amazing ability to smell while staying underwater, due to which it can detect prey from a distance.
- Its tongue is divided into two parts like a snake’s tongue!
- Some people also keep it in their aquarium, but it is very difficult to take care of it.
(Disclaimer: The information given here is based on general information. Before adopting it, definitely take medical advice. THE MONK does not confirm this.)
