Aside from great strength and huge teeth, Sarnúmeni were noted for having deadly barbs along their spine. These barbs were connected with poison glands, and anyone stepping on or handling one of these formidable Eels was indanger of being injected with a bluish nerve poison named for the Sarnúmen. Herbalists had been known to refine this liquid, creating a lethal poison that was feared all over southern Middle-earth. Fortunately, the liquid had an exceedingly limited life of its own and was extremely hard to handle without exposing oneself to its effects.