Sawfish snout senses, swipes and stabs

The spectacular snouts of sawfish are

revealed as complete hunting weapons, sensing prey and killing them.

The saws, which can grow more than a metre long in some species, have

previously been identified as able to sense prey by their electric fields.

Now, researchers have filmed the fish impaling prey on the teeth of the

saws. They suggest in Current Biology that

sawfish are more active hunters than previously thought, which could help in their much-needed conservation.

All seven species are listed as Critically Endangered on

the internationally-recognised Red List.

The researchers, mainly based in Australia, suggest sawfish may be unique

among their peers in possessing a snout, or rostrum, that works both as a

sensory organ and a hunting weapon.