Adaptations of the Smalltooth Sawfish:

· The Sawfish is one of few fish that are considered to be an osmoregulator. This means that the Sawfish can adapt to just about any type of water conditions such as salt, brackish, or even fresh water. While lurking throughout these different types of waters, the Sawfish is always busy fighting off predators or searching for food. This fish uses its “saw” like snout to fend off predators much larger than themselves as well as a harpoon for catching food. The Sawfish uses its “saw” like snout to catch its food usually by swimming into a large school of fish, hastily swinging its head, so that the “saw” will skewer its prey.

· Upon adapting to a permanent habitat, the Sawfish will settle down and eventually reach maturity at about ten years of age. It is at this time that these ovoviviparous animals will begin the breeding process. The word ovoviviparous means that these animals produce eggs that develop and hatch within the females body. The development process of the fetal fish usually take five months. The female Sawfish will usually give birth to around six to nine pups after the gestation process takes place.

· I know most of you are wondering about the Sawfish’ long snout and how that affects the birthing process. With all of the sharp teeth that are externally fixated on the snout of these fish, the birthing process must be particularly painful for the mother Sawfish, right? Well not exactly. To protect the mother Sawfish’ uterus, the infant Sawfish’ saw like snout is flexible and also covered with a sheath of heavy fibrous material. This protective sheath is very tough, such as Kevlar, and will usually wear away and fall off shortly after birth.