The Largetooth Sawfish (Pristis pristis) is a species of large, ray-like fish that has a rostrum full of spikes.
River Monsters[]
Chainsaw Predator[]
River Monsters Rare Sawfish Caught on Camera
The Largetooth Sawfish was featured in Season 3 Episode 4. At the beginning of the episode, Jeremy Wade went over the myths about the Sawfish. Later he traveled to Australia where he attempted to catch one of the elusive giants. He learned much about its behavior, and why Sawfish travel inland. There were a couple of reasons including breeding. Afterward, he was able to catch a large specimen. He determined that, while the Sawfish is a formidable predator, it would not intentionally attack humans.
Description[]
General Description[]
Although often found in the open ocean, the Largetooth Sawfish is known to travel inland into freshwater, like the individual that Jeremy Wade caught.
Very large Largetooth Sawfish can grow to 21 feet long and over 1300 pounds, however, ancient reports tell of 5000-pound Sawfish. Unlike the 15-foot Arapaima, Jeremy noted that this is not necessarily refutable because based on the dimensions, the weight seems accurate.
Largetooth Sawfish are greenish-brown in color. Their body resembles a shark, as the have asymmetrical tail fins and tall, erect dorsal fins. However, their flat underside is much different from most sharks, and it more resembles a stingray.
The Myths[]
The Largetooth Sawfish is said to slice boats open and let them sink to the bottom so it can devour the crew once they have drowned. However there is no evidence of them destroying boats of killing people.
Trivia[]
- A sawfish's rostrum once was used as a weapon.
Gallery[]
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