Approximately how many razor-sharp teeth line the sucking disk of the Sea Lamprey?
Answer
Nearly 150 teeth
The destructive efficacy of the jawless Sea Lamprey is intrinsically linked to its specialized feeding apparatus. This apparatus is characterized by a powerful sucking disk which it uses to latch onto host fish. Embedded within this disk are numerous sharp protrusions designed for piercing the host's exterior. Specifically, this sucking disk is lined with nearly 150 razor-sharp teeth, enabling the parasite to secure its grip firmly before using a specialized, raspy tongue to bore a hole through which it consumes the host’s blood and vital body fluids. This mechanism is central to its parasitic lifestyle.
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