Bitten by a moray eel?

[Externet]

Unsure if the right place to post, but, has it ever happened to anyone that you know of ?
Their open jaws are intimidating even if it is only their breathing posture and we are always cautious around them.
But, would they bite a diver ?
Miguel

 

[dumpsterDiver]

Yes I have been bitten at least 3 times. I have friends that commercial diver for lobster and they wear stainless steel chain meash gloves under their normal gloves. Getting bit is not unusual if you stick your hand in dark holes.

 

[rookers]

Getting bit is not unusual if you stick your hand in dark holes.

Key concept here.

 

[cmalinowski]

Yes I have been bitten at least 3 times. I have friends that commercial diver for lobster and they wear stainless steel chain meash gloves under their normal gloves. Getting bit is not unusual if you stick your hand in dark holes.

Can you tell us the severity of the injuries?

Many of us have seen the video (on youtube was where I saw it) of the guy who fed the eel vienna sausages and then had his thumb bitten off. I don't have the link and work has now blocked youtube

Chris

 

[battles2a5]

I was going to post about that same video. You could here the *pop* when the thumb separated. Fortunately, they were able to take one of his toes and put it back on as a thumb, and the video ends w/ him playing Playstation with it. Looked wierd but it worked. Moral of the story? Don't fee the wildlife.

I have seen some HUGE morays that I would not want to tangle with. There is one on the Hilma Hooker in Bonaire that I swear is over 10 ft long. It could take a hand or a foot. That thing gives me the willies.

 

[grf88]

Moray Attack! Video

 

[Web Monkey]

Unsure if the right place to post, but, has it ever happened to anyone that you know of ? Their open jaws are intimidating even if it is only their breathing posture and we are always cautious around them.
But, would they bite a diver ?
Miguel

Yes, and Yes.

Eels are dumb, have bad eyesight and sharp teeth. If your hand or fingers look tasty or threatening, you could be the newest diver with the nickname "stumpy".

There are a number of divers around who either fed or "played" with eels and now don't have the same number of fingers they started with.

Terry

 

[Zieg]

My first bite was reaching into the hole after the lobster. He hit my fingers with a quick bite and let go imediately. When I realized what happened, boy the names I called myself. only had to stitch up one finger. The second time I was watching a dive buddy doing something he wasn't supposed to and I wasn't paying attention to what I was doing and I placed my hand where it wasn't supposed to be. Again a quick bite, but this time I jerked my hand back, nearly losing the last joint on the middle finger.

So, before any of you ask the questions. NO, not very bright of me. In fact, YES, stupid in each case. I'm lucky, still have all my fingers, just have scares to brag? about.

 

[Hank49]

I have a friend from Hawaii who was bitten while removing a fish from a spear. The eel came out of nowhere and as it attempted to steal the fish, got hold of his hand and almost severed his thumb. It let go and came back again but he avoided getting bitten again.
He showed me pictures taken (about 25 years ago) that the surgeon took just before sewing his thumb back together. It was ripped, or sliced open all the way to the base of the bone, on both sides of his hand, near the wrist. He still doesn't have full use of his thumb.

 

[cudachaser]

I got bit once....tried to get a better picture of this eel...tapped him on the nose to get him out of his hole...clamped down on my finger

Joe