What covers the Wolf Eel's skin instead of traditional scales?
Answer
A thick layer of mucous.
The physical covering of the Wolf Eel's body is specialized for its rough, abrasive habitat. The skin completely lacks traditional scales. Instead, it is covered by a thick layer of mucous. This mucous coating serves several vital functions related to its lifestyle navigating complex, hard-substrate environments. Primarily, it offers protection against constant abrasion caused by rubbing against rocks, kelp, and other rough surfaces within its preferred reef structure. Secondly, this thick mucous layer is also understood to reduce drag, aiding its movement through the water column in the currents common to its habitat.
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