The longcomb sawfish, aka narrowsnout sawfish or green sawfish, can be found in the tropical and subtropical coastlines of Africa, Middle East, south Asia, Australasia, and Australia. Due to habitat loss at the hands of residential and commercial developments, oil and gas drilling, mining, quarrying, and dams; overfishing; and climate change, causing habitat alteration and temperature extremes, these amazing creatures are listed as Critically Endangered. Their populations are also decreasing.
First the Stats…
Scientific name: Pristis zijsron
Weight: Up to 1,540 lbs.
Length: Up to 24 feet
Lifespan: Up to 50+ years
Now on to the Facts!
1.) They prefer coastal marine, mangrove, and estuarine habitats.
2.) These critters can even venture far inland up freshwater rivers.
3.) Fish, crustaceans, and molluscs are all on the menu.
4.) When catching fish, they will whip their rostrum from side to side, which tears apart their prey, making for an easier to swallow meal.
5.) Sawfish are generally harmless to humans, sans when they are captured and begin to thrash their rostrum from side to side in defense.
But wait, there’s more on the longcomb sawfish!
6.) These creatures are ovoviviparous (embryos develop in eggs inside the mother until ready to be born).
7.) Females birth up to 12 young with each litter.
Did you know…?
Where once recorded in 37 countries, they now exist in approximately only 11.
8.) The young measure up to 43 inches at birth.
9.) Large sharks and crocodiles are their only natural predators.
10.) Longcomb sawfish are nocturnal (active at night).
Now a Short Longcomb Sawfish Video!
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Some source material acquired from: Wikipedia & IUCN
Photo credit: Edge of Existence
