Sea Lamprey Research Paper

The vampire fish. That is what the Sea lamprey was nicknamed when discovered in 1835. First spotted in Lake Ontario, researchers were horrified to learn that the Sea lamprey feeds on blood. These parasitic fish latch on to their victims and siphon their blood and other body fluids, sucking them completely dry. What separates the Sea lamprey from other fish, other than their horrifying blood fetish, is their unique body structure. These fish do not have jaws or any other bone structure in their anatomy. Instead of the norm they possess a skeleton that is made out of cartilage. With a unique body set up, comes a unique mouth. It is described to be a large hole filled with sharp, pointy teeth. And this teeth frame a just as deadly tongue.
This species thrived for multiple reasons. The first reason was because of the temperature. Temperature is defined as the degree or intensity of heat present in a substance or object, especially as expressed according to a comparative scale and shown by a thermometer or perceived by touch. Well the Sea lamprey prospers at a temperature between one to twenty degrees Celsius. To reach that temperature the eel like animal must swim as deep as four thousand meters. Another reason why the Atlantic Ocean was a perfect place to call home was because of the environment. The sand and strong current are ideal factors when looking for a place to lay eggs. When preparing to give birth, the female lamprey will burrow itself into the sand so that it may finish the task at hang with no interruptions. Another reason the sand is ideal is because it possesses a quick cover or a hiding place if the lamprey has to hide itself or its eggs. Another reason for the strong current is because in times of danger the Sea lamprey swims best in the strong current and can escape any enemy trying to end them. These factors help the little sea devil thrive because most of their predators cannot go after them in a strong currents. But that hasn't stopped some from