The Shark Evading Habits of Shy Hawaiian Garden Eels

A clip from the PBS special Sharks of Hawaii takes a look at the Hawaiian garden eel. These native creatures are incredibly shy, remaining inside their benthic water burrows for their entire lives. They only to pop their heads out for food when the sun rises and then beat a hasty retreat when the sun sets or if an intruder, such as a shark, is near.

Shy creatures found only in Hawaiian waters, these eels only emerge from their burrow to eat zooplankton. They will spend their lifetime in the same spot, trying to avoid the eyes of roaming sharks.