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MORAY, common name for about 110 species of marine eels (see EEL), of the family Muraenidae. Morays are widespread in warm or tropical seas, where they live mainly in reefs or other lair-providing rocky areas. They have scaleless skins, like other eels, and their smooth, muscular bodies range up to about 3 m (about 10 ft) long in some species. They may also be brightly colored. Each of the single pair of gill openings is small and circular, and the gaping mouth is filled with long, sharp, slender teeth. (Certain species have teeth modified for crushing hard-shelled animal forms.) Typically, morays feed at night on other fish and on mollusks. Despite their fierce appearance, morays generally do not attack unless provoked; the bites, however, can be serious. |