Wolf eels are not even in the top ten for being dangerous to most SCUBA divers. On occasion a diver with little or no common sense, will stick a gloved or even a bare finger in a reef hole occupied by a wolf eel and MAY get it bitten. The wolf eels’ biggest problem is that it is UGLY, and it pumps water across its gills by opening and closing its mouth. That appears threatening to many divers.

This is a creature that even its mother would struggle to find it attractive, though I will admit that I find them incredibly interesting. They are territorial but also mate for long periods. They are also very inquisitive and find divers most interesting and will, if visited often and treated well, will often come out of their dens and interact with the divers. I have witnessed them consuming crabs with those powerful jaws and even making quick work out of sea urchins, spines and all. That ability may well be the reason they are so ugly, from generations of consuming shells and spines.

In all the years that I have been diving and watching wolf eels I have never had an instance of their actions that concerned me. I will also admit that I NEVER put a bare or gloved hand in their mouths either.