sawfishs

Sawfish are a group of rays belonging to the order Pristiformes. They are characterized by their distinctive, long, flat snout, called a rostrum, which is armed with a row of sharp tooth-like projections. This unique feature is used for sensing prey in murky waters and for stunning or disabling fish before they are consumed. Sawfish are found in tropical and subtropical waters, inhabiting both coastal marine environments and freshwater rivers.

There are five extant species of sawfish, all of which are considered critically endangered. These include the Largetooth sawfish, Smalltooth sawfish, Green sawfish, Dwarf sawfish, and the Critically Endangered Freshwater sawfish. Historically, sawfish were more widespread, but their populations have drastically declined due to overfishing, habitat loss, and incidental capture in fishing gear. The saw-like rostrum makes them particularly vulnerable to entanglement in nets. Conservation efforts are underway to protect remaining populations and their habitats.