Lampreys - is a parasitic species of fish that live in fresh and salt waters.The literal translation from Latin means "licking stone", is due to the ability of creatures attach themselves to hard surfaces, although they do not attach themselves to rocks just as well to other fish and even humans.After watching the terrifying images of the animal's mouth open many a question: lamprey dangerous to humans or she poses a threat only to fish?
These creatures inhabit virtually all waters of the Southern and Northern hemisphere, are found even in the basin of the Arctic Ocean.There are about 40 species of lampreys, which are divided into three types: sea, river and streams.The size of the fish depends on habitat conditions.Brooks - the smallest, reach a length of about 10 cm, and the sea - the largest, grow up to one meter.With recent spread information that the lamprey is dangerous for humans, because the fish has repeatedly attacked the swimmers people.
In appearance, this inhabitant of the depths is more like an eel: no scales, pectoral and pelvic fins are also paired observed.Lamprey has become famous because of the unusual respiratory system, a plurality of ring-shaped mouth with horny teeth and an addiction to eating the muscles and the blood of the dead and live fish.Since the paired fins and swim bladder lampreys not, they live mostly on the bottom of lakes, rivers and seas.
in large colonies before going spawning lamprey.Fish can lay about 10 thousand eggs, most of which buries under stones.After that lamprey dies.The larvae emerge in three weeks, they look like small worms that burrow into the sand.Young growth is very different from their parents, so they are even identified as a separate species, calling peskoroykami.Over 5 years, they look like ordinary fish, and only then become an adult look.
Being lamprey known to mankind since ancient times.The oldest specimen, discovered by archaeologists, lived about 360 million years ago.Many nations have used for thousands of years the fish for food, because its meat is very nutritious and tasty.The ancient Romans and lamprey eels are considered a delicacy.In Europe, only wealthy people could afford the fish.Lamprey dangerous to humans if eaten her food constantly.The death of King Henry I of England is directly related to her because he loved dishes with fish and eating them in large quantities, and in fact quite fatty meat lampreys.
can not say for sure that the lamprey is dangerous for humans, it can bite, but in death it will not.In addition, specially the fish do not attack people.A case where Julius Caesar as a penalty the offender servant threw it into the pond with huge sea lamprey.Those first attacked the accident, but he realized that this man, rather than fish, retreated.These creatures spoil the fish, as absorbed into it and cause mortal wounds, gnawing pieces of meat.But they themselves become prey burbot, catfish, eels and other large marine life.There are cases when the lamprey attacks on humans, but it seems to have inadvertently.
