What price are you willing to pay for food?

Our #NewPaper describes the #deadly cost some seals can be willing to pay in pursuit of #delicious seafood!

But some fish just don't want to be eaten! A thread...

https://doi.org/10.3354/dao03473

New Zealand (or long-nosed) fur seals are capable marine predators that target a wide range of prey in the waters around Australia and New Zealand.

But not all fish go down without a fight...

In our paper, we describe an unlucky fur seal found dead in southeastern Australia.

CT scanning revealed 6 fish spines embedded in the soft tissue around its face, and 10 stiletto-style stab wounds to its cheeks and throat - likely from spines that didn't stick!

Two of these spines were sharp barbs from stingarees - small stingrays with scorpion-like tails that can be whipped around to stab and slash at would-be predators... or unwary feet!

The remaining 4 barbs were actually serrated dorsal spines from the back of Australian ghostsharks - an ancient lineage of cartilaginous fish related to sharks and rays.

Can you eat such spiky fish safely?
Maybe... if you handle them right!

A rare observation saw an Aussie fur seal eating an ghostshark by tearing it from the belly - avoiding the sharp spine on its back.

But clearly something went seriously wrong for our seal.

Whether from inexperience or plain bad luck, he suffered injuries that likely led to his ultimate demise.

If you want to know more check out our article with @ConversationEDU: https://theconversation.com/dinner-to-die-for-how-fish-use-their-spines-to-fend-off-hungry-seals-133627