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Sawfish
Sawfish

Range

Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions, both fresh and saltwater

Size

Up to 23 feet long and 5,410 pounds

Diet

Bottom-dwelling animals

Weapons and Traits

Saw-like rostrum lined with large, tooth-like scales called denticles; rough shark-like skin; rostrum covered in sensitive pores that can detect movement and heartbeats

Battle Status

Defeated by Saltwater Crocodile

The Sawfish is a type of ray named for its long, saw-like snout, called a rostrum. They are very unusual-looking fish, and very large, and are very popular in aquariums; however, they are considered endangered in the wild. Sawfish use their rostrum, which is covered in sensitive pores much like a shark's, to detect prey hiding in the sand, before smacking the prey to stun them before the sawfish feeds.

Although the sawfish usually moves at a calm, leisurely pace, they are capable of using their powerful rostrums to defend themselves, even being able to hold their own against sharks. Curious divers have been known to be on the recieving end of a sawfish's rostrum on occasion, but fatalities are rare.


Battle (with Saltwater Crocodile)[]

In a large river in Australia, a 22-foot-long adult sawfish is probing for food along the riverbed. Suddenly, its sensitive pores pick up something large moving through the water towards it. The sawfish begins to swim away, only to be struck by a 21-foot saltwater crocodile. The sawfish narrowly avoids the croc's teeth and swings its rostrum, hitting the croc in the side.

The rostrum fails to penetrate the croc's thick armor, and it goes in again, this time catching the sawfish by one of its fins. The sawfish swings once again, cleaving one of the croc's front legs clean off. Hissing in pain and anger, the croc is forced to let go.

Injured, the sawfish again tries to swim for safety, but the croc is in hot pursuit. Staying clear of the rostrum as best it can, the croc rams the sawfish several times. Finally, the croc swings its powerful tail and sends the sawfish flying out of the water. As it lands back in the river, the sawfish is left stunned long enough for the salty to bite down on its head. The crocodile at last pulls its meal from the river to feed.

Winner: Saltwater Crocodile

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