Lampreys are ancient, jawless fish that have existed for over 340 million years, predating dinosaurs and surviving multiple mass extinction events. These unique aquatic creatures, often resembling eels, have a distinctive appearance and unusual feeding habits that often lead to questions about their potential threat to humans.
Understanding Lamprey Feeding
Lampreys are characterized by their jawless, funnel-like sucking mouths. This oral disk is filled with sharp, horn-shaped teeth surrounding a rasping tongue. Parasitic lampreys attach to host fish using their suction-cup mouth and then use their teeth for grip.
Once attached, they rasp through the fish’s scales and skin with their abrasive tongue to access blood and body fluids. An anticoagulant enzyme prevents the host’s blood from clotting, allowing for continuous feeding. This specialized feeding mechanism is adapted for cold-blooded fish, which release specific chemical signals and have a skin texture suitable for suction.
Do Lampreys Bite Humans?
Lampreys rarely, if ever, “bite” humans in a predatory sense, as their feeding mechanism is designed for fish. Any contact with a human is typically accidental, often occurring when individuals are swimming or wading in areas with high lamprey populations. In such instances, a lamprey might mistakenly attach to a human limb, possibly due to a perceived similarity in shape or movement.
The sensation of a lamprey attaching to human skin is more akin to a strong suction with a rasping feeling rather than a conventional bite. Their teeth are primarily for anchoring, and their tongue attempts to rasp the surface. However, human skin texture and body temperature are not suitable for their feeding, leading the lamprey to quickly detach once it realizes the host is not a fish.
Managing Encounters and Minor Risks
Risks associated with accidental lamprey attachment are generally low. While attachment can be painful and disconcerting, it typically results in a small, superficial wound. The primary concern is potential for minor infection, as with any open wound.
If a lamprey attaches, remain calm and avoid forcefully pulling it off, as this could cause further skin damage. The easiest removal method is to gently lift the lamprey out of the water, which often causes it to suffocate and release its grip. After detachment, the wound should be thoroughly cleaned with soap and water to prevent infection. To minimize accidental encounters, awareness of lamprey habitats is helpful, and direct handling of these animals should be avoided.