Feeding Strategy of Lampreys Is Very Special

The lamprey is a very old animal that resembles an eel and has a round mouth containing tiny teeth. It is not like many other fish that use jaws to bite their prey. Rather, the lamprey uses a special mouth called an oral disc to firmly attach itself to other fish.

How Lampreys Can Attach to Fish

Once a lamprey finds the right fish, it can use its mouth to make firm contact with the body of the fish.
With attachment, the lamprey is able to use its mouth parts to penetrate the skin and feed on blood and other body fluids. There are some types of lampreys which are parasitic and tend to attach themselves while feeding.

Unique Adaptation Underwater
However, the unique characteristic of the lamprey is the structure of its mouth which not only helps it to survive but is also a distinguishing feature. The attachment of lampreys to moving fish enables them to survive and feed in fast moving streams.
An Ancient and Unusual Animal

Lampreys represent an ancient family of vertebrates without jaws. The rather strange appearance and feeding habits of these animals have made lampreys of particular interest for researchers studying the evolution of vertebrates.

The image of a lamprey feeding on another fish may appear strange, yet the animal’s unusual round mouth is actually a very specialized organ.