What does it mean when an moray eel shakes its head violently?

Question

I was snorkeling earlier today, when I came across a Whitemouth Moray about a little less than halfway out of the coral. I approached it, chikcened out and swam back to shore. I did this a couple more times, then when I got the courage to get close enough to take a few more pictures, it started shaking its head violently. I backed up, and after a bit started ignoring it. I think I got a bit too close because it snapped at my camera.

What does the head-shaking mean?

Answer 1

Well i think that if it snapped and was shaking it's head violently that it was probably annoyed or maybe even scared. But look at this way, if it was trying to scare you away or sopmething it must have worked.

Answer 2

Sometimes they will do this as a warning to stay away.  Eels don't particularly care to be bothered by any means especially in the wild.  They also don't want to defend their buro's either since they need their teeth for catching foods.  They will often display weird behavior to try to "frighten" off intruders.  When this doesn't work, they will come after you.