Habitat: Sawfish inhabit tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. They are often found in coastal environments and sometimes venture into rivers and freshwater systems. Lake Nicaragua is one famous example of their freshwater presence.
Behavior: Sawfish prefer shallow waters, but mature individuals can occasionally be found in deeper ocean area.
Appearance: Sawfish resemble sharks but are closely related to rays. Their gills are located on their underside, while shark gills are located on the sides.
Rostrum: The long saw-like snout, known as the rostrum, is used to detect and stun prey. The "teeth" on the rostrum are actually modified scales that are set from birth.
Size: These animals can grow up to 6 meters (20 feet), which is taller than an average giraffe. Some can weigh over 318 kilograms (around 700 pounds).
Diet: Juveniles primarily eat crustaceans, while adults shift towards a diet of larger fish and other marine animals. They detect prey using electroreceptors along the rostrum.
Predators: Adult sawfish have few predators, though young sawfish may be targeted by sharks and crocodiles.
Threats: Sawfish are critically endangered due to overfishing, habitat loss, and demand for their fins and rostra in traditional medicine. Many populations have dwindled to small numbers, particularly in northern Australia and Florida.
Reproduction: Sawfish are ovoviviparous, meaning their eggs develop inside the mother, who gives birth to live young after a five-month gestation period. They typically have 4-10 pups per litter. Reproduction intervals are long, as females breed only every other year.
Parthenogenesis: Remarkably, some sawfish can reproduce through parthenogenesis (without fertilization), a rare ability in vertebrates.
Lifespan: They can live up to 35 years or more, though population recovery is challenging due to their slow reproductive cycles.
Sawfish Day: October 17 is International Sawfish Day, dedicated to raising awareness about their plight.
Historical Use: Their rostra were used as weapons in some cultures and even as decorations on World War II submarines.
Symbolism: In various cultures, sawfish are symbols of strength and protection. For example, Aboriginal Australians believe they have supernatural connections, and in Panama, they are seen as spiritual protectors.
