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Deep Look

How Hagfish Unleash a Torrent of Slime

Season 10 Episode 1

What keeps the boneless, jawless hagfish thriving after more than 300 million years? SLIME. The goop it exudes – a mix of mucus and special protein cells – expands to 10,000 times its original volume in less than half a second, potentially clogging the gills of competitors.

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