Sawfish are known for their elongated rostrums lined with many sharp, calcified teeth, which we refer to as their “saws.” They use their saws to slash, stun, or lacerate smaller fishes to eat and defend themselves from threats, but these teeth develop much differently than ours and are actually present at birth! While it may sound painful, newborn sawfish are actually equipped with a multilayered, skin-like sheath that covers the teeth and protects the mother and siblings during gestation and birth.

During our team’s 18 years of tagging sawfish, sheaths were documented for 36 newborns, and samples were collected from 6 specimens for laboratory analysis. Analysis showed that the sheath is made of two tissue layers that resemble an epidermis and a dermis, suggesting it may be like a ‘second skin.’ Our biologists described the sheath as firm but with a slight give, and it cannot be easily removed manually. Typically, the sheath is shed within about four days after birth. Learn more about this research online.

These findings expand and clarify what we know about sawfish, but there is still much to learn. How can you help? If you see or catch a sawfish while fishing for other species, please let us know by calling 1-844-4SAWFISH (1-844-472-9347) or e-mailing sawfish@myfwc.com.

FWC relies on peer-reviewed science for its management; access the full publication here.