Have You Seen a Sawfish?
January 3, 2009 by Kimberly
Scientific Classification:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Chondrichthyes
Subclass: Elasmobranchii
Superorder: Batoidea
Order: Pristiformes
Family: Pristidae
Genera: Anoxypristis, Pristis
Species: There are 7 species in the 2 Genera
Sawfish are in the ray family and are known by their long, saw-like snout. They are often called “Sharks with Swords”. Actually, the “teeth” on their snout aren’t really teeth at all…LOL
Know what else is special about that snout?
It is electro- and motion sensitive with tiny pores that detect the slightest variations, so it allows the sawfish to hover over the ocean or riverbed floor and detect their prey’s heart-beats below the sand or mud. Very handy!
Not to mention, they are motion sensitive to make it easier for them to catch fish swimming by them in murky waters.
They also can slash at quick-moving prey and pierce them with their saw-teeth, and rake the ocean floor or riverbed to find buried prey.
They are known to live in the tropical waters off of African, Australia and the Caribbean, especially near places where fresh and salt water meet, like rivers feeding into the ocean. They pretty much only like shallow, muddy waters, and are often viewed far upstream.
They’re nocturnal animals meaning they sleep all day, and hunt and play all night long! (Twisted Sister would have loved these guys…LOL!)
What Else is Neat About Them?
Sawfish give birth to live young with soft, little snouts.
Conservation Status:
Every species of sawfish is critically endangered! International trade is completely banned. It is illegal to capture sawfish in both Australia and the United States.
Why are they Critically Endangered?
They often get stuck in fishing nets, accidentally by fishermen. However, there are people who capture the sawfish for their prized rostrum or snout, as well as their fins and liver oil for medicine.
What Do You Do if You Accidentally Catch a Sawfish?
Never remove it from the water. Release it as safely and as quickly as possible to reduce stress and injury to the sawfish and to yourself.
Then, report the sighting and let them know where you were located.
To report a sighting, or for more information on How You Can Help Save the Sawfish: Go Here!
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I hope you enjoyed this Ray post on Exotic Animal Lover! Until next time…
Live Exotically,
Kimberly Edwards 
P.S. Please be sure to Subscribe to this Blog.
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What a super neat animal – who would have thought a shark could look like it has a hedge trimmer for a snout?
Kenney