Meet the Slimy, Jawless Hagfish

Hagfish are also known as slime eels, thought they are not eels. They belong to the class Agnatha, fish without jaws.There are an estimated 76 species of hagfish, which live in cold waters around the world. Different species range from several inches to more than four feet long.Hagfish have a reputation for being disgusting — it might have something to do with their sliminess and their unsavory dining habits — but they’re actually valuable parts of the ocean ecosystem, and that slime might have practical applications.Go to Zoologic to read my latest Creature Feature: The Creature Feature: 10 Fun Facts About the Hagfish.