A big surprise for many marine biologists is that such a small and slender fish- a hagfish, can have such a strong reaction to danger. When a hagfish feels threatened, it oozes a slimy substance that comes out from it's pores, that are on the sides of a hagfish. Some hagfish have over 100 pores, and that makes the amount of slime extremely large- sometimes liters come out of the hagfish. This adaptation is very useful for such a small animal because whenever it feels threatened, or a predator tries to attack it, it simply lets out this substance, and the predator is instantly repulsed, and will not eat it. Researchers from Fudge's lab have collected buckets of this slime. They put the hagfish down, and then send electronic shocks to the fish, to make them release the slime. Upon studying the slime, the researchers realized that it is much more ecologically friendly then nylon for example. The slime is strong, and contains tiny fibers that make it nearly impossible to break apart. This means that soon, we could start using this hagfish substance to create ecologically friendly materials.
Ecologically friendly materials produced with the slime from Hagfish sounds like an interesting idea. Its biodegradability would be much better for the environment than other materials out there. But my main concern is the process which is used to extract it. Is there a way to get the slime without hurting the animals with electrical shocks?
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of the biodegradable golf balls that a couple scientists at the University of Maine developed. They are made from lobster shells. :) Very interesting idea, but I have to agree with you Annie, how do they extract the slime?
ReplyDeleteInteresting article. I personally believe that achieving sustainable development means that we have to make use of the organic things that surround us. Much of the things we consume and use today are things that are typically not found in nature, thus posing a threat. This alternative is ecologically beneficial because it will decompose over a short period of time. I do however believe that this may pose a threat to hagfish if the the use of their slime is put to industrial use.
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