News Animals

Unusually loose skin helps hagfish survive shark attacks

Slip-sliding outer covering also aids in Houdini escapes

hagfish

SAVE OUR SAGGY SKINS Remarkably loose-fitting skin could help hagfish (Eptatretus stoutii shown) survive a shark bite.

Tom McHugh/Science Source

By Susan Milius

- More than 2 years ago

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NEW ORLEANS, La. – Skin that mostly hangs loose around hagfishes proves handy for living through a shark attack or wriggling through a crevice.