Do Pike have anticoagulant in their saliva?

[Chris Plumb]

Well do they?

 

One for the fish scientists. I've been trying to establish whether this is a popular myth or scientific fact. Plenty of anecdotal evidence on the 'net to say they have but I can't find any categorical scientific evidence.

 

One for Bruno methinks....

 

Chris

[chesters1]

they maydo anytime i get cut on their choppers i bleed like a stuck pig ,i bind a tench to the effected area and within 3 days the bleedings stopped

amazing and no nhs charges.

i will await the outcome with interest.

[MikeConnor]

Chris Plumb:

Well do they?

 

One for the fish scientists. I've been trying to establish whether this is a popular myth or scientific fact. Plenty of anecdotal evidence on the 'net to say they have but I can't find any categorical scientific evidence.

 

One for Bruno methinks....

 

Chris

Fish do not produce saliva as such. This fucntion is largely restricted to land mammals, who require saliva to aid mastication. Fish do not masticate. This may be of help.

 

http://www.biology.eku.edu/RITCHISO/342notes7.html

[MikeConnor]

Chris[/qb]

Fish do not produce saliva as such. This fucntion is largely restricted to land mammals, who require saliva to aid mastication. Fish do not masticate. This may be of help.

 

Sorry, that should read "This function is largely restricted to land animals..............."

[MikeConnor]

Chris[/qb]

Fish do not produce saliva as such. This fucntion is largely restricted to land mammals, who require saliva to aid mastication. Fish do not masticate. This may be of help.

 

Sorry, that should read "This function is largely restricted to land animals..............."

[Tim Kelly]

I doubt it, they just have very sharp teeth that cut cleanly. Like when you cut yourself shaving, the cut takes ages to stop bleeding, I think their teeth cut in a similar way.

[Peter Waller]

I've never been cut by a pike's teeth. But I have been grazed by the rakers & that wound bleed & bleed!

[Andy Macfarlane]

I know the feeling....almost every time I unhook a pike I get a tink knick somewhere and it takes all day to stop.Anti-coagulant...maybe not but they do bleed dont they?

[Waterman]

What, no childish gags about mastication? Come on!

[davidP]

I can't see why they would as they catch and swallow their prey whole. Doesn't mean they don't of course - perhaps it's a way of making a lost but damaged fish easier to track as they'll bleed more into the water.