Eptatretus

/ˌɛptəˈtriːtəs/ noun

Definition

A genus of hagfish, primitive jawless fish characterized by seven gill openings and the ability to produce defensive slime.

Etymology

From Greek 'hepta' meaning 'seven' and 'tretus' referring to 'perforated' or 'opening', describing their distinctive gill structure.

Kelly Says

Eptatretus hagfish have remained virtually unchanged for 300 million years—they're living fossils that survived every mass extinction because nobody wanted to eat something that produces industrial-grade slime.

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