Hagfish

The hagfish is a primitive species of ancient fish living in the oceans. It is unique among fish species in that it has no scales, jaws, or paired fins. It is also the only vertebrate that can produce copious amounts of slime, used to both defend itself and to suffocate prey. Hagfish have long been used by commercial fishermen as a source of food and bait, and are now being studied for their potential medicinal and industrial uses, such as for the production of mono-filament thread, bio-plastics, and cosmetics. Its slimy mucus is being explored for its potential use in wound healing treatments and as a biopolymer for medical implants. The hagfish is a fascinating and important species that has much to teach us, not to mention its potential for industrial applications.