A fisherman in Devon made a rare and startling discovery recently while out looking for chub in the River Exe. Jason Moore, 47, stumbled upon a creature that he described as ‘a living dinosaur’ and the ‘stuff of nightmares’ – a giant blood-sucking fish known as a lamprey. This particular lamprey was up to one meter long, making it up to 10 times larger than any lamprey Moore had ever seen before. The find left Moore in awe, marveling at the size and features of the creature.
Moore recounted his surprise at finding the lamprey while scouting for fishing spots along the riverbank. He noticed the large, eel-like creature in the water near the edge and decided to fish it out to get a closer look. What he discovered was a dead lamprey with signs that it had recently spawned eggs before meeting its demise. The sheer size of the creature and its rows of teeth left Moore astounded by the sight.
Describing the lamprey’s appearance, Moore likened its mouth to that of a leech but on a much larger scale. The rows of teeth resembled something out of a horror movie, resembling the Demogorgon creature from the popular series “Stranger Things.” Nicknamed the ‘vampire fish’ for its blood-sucking tendencies, lampreys have been known to deliver vicious bites, with one man claiming to have suffered from a lamprey wound for nine years.
Despite its intimidating appearance and behavior, Moore believes that the presence of such creatures in British waterways should not instill fear in the public. While acknowledging that many people may be shocked to learn of these creatures in their rivers, he emphasized that there is no need to avoid recreational activities in the water out of fear. Lampreys, though unusual and somewhat frightening in appearance, are a natural part of the ecosystem and pose no significant threat to humans.
In fact, lampreys have been around for millions of years and are considered living fossils due to their primitive anatomy and behavior. These ancient creatures are known for their unique feeding habits, using their suction cup-like mouths and rows of teeth to latch onto other fish and feed on their blood. While their feeding method may seem gruesome, lampreys play an important role in maintaining the balance of aquatic ecosystems.
As Moore shared his discovery on social media, reactions poured in from fascinated onlookers. Some compared the lamprey to creatures from science fiction movies, noting its eerie resemblance to fictional monsters. Despite the initial shock and intrigue sparked by the find, Moore hopes to educate the public about the true nature of these creatures and dispel any unfounded fears or misconceptions.
Moving forward, Moore plans to continue his fishing expeditions along the River Exe, undeterred by the presence of the ‘vampire fish’ lurking beneath the surface. His encounter with the giant lamprey serves as a reminder of the diverse and sometimes bizarre wildlife that inhabits our rivers and waterways. By sharing his experience and insights, Moore hopes to inspire curiosity and appreciation for the natural world, even in the face of the unexpected and extraordinary.