Facts about Electric Eels
Posted by Franklin Jose Navarro Pabon / in Science Facts
Electric Eel image by Flickr user shankar s.
Electric Eel - Animal Facts
- Electric eels are a type of fish.
- Electric eels more specifically a type of eel. Well actually, they are more related to the catfish and the knife fish.
- Electric eels can measure from 2 to 2.5 meters (6.5 to 8 feet) in length and weigh about 20 kilograms (over 60 pounds), so it is not a light fish as you might think. They are the largest species of Gymnotiformes.
- The body of the electric eel is long like that of the true eels. Their body shape is cylindrical and has no caudal fin, dorsal fin, or pelvic fins. Instead, it has an elongated rear fin that extends to the tip of the tail which it uses to move around.
- Their head is flat, the snout is square and the mouth is very large. Electric eels have gills but also a respiratory organ inside the oral cavity and since they get most of their oxygen from the air, they need to surface every 10 minutes to inhale and return to the bottom of the water.
- Electric eels have thick skin, viscous and without scales. Their color is typically gray or dark brown on the back and yellow or orange in the central area, however, the male has greater darkening in this area.
- One of the most unique features of an electric eel is their body hosts more than 6,000 cells specialized in storing energy, called electrolytes, which make up the 3 bodies responsible for unloading the 600-volt burst when the eel feels threatened or intends to attack an intruder.
- The body of an electric eel is like a large battery storing almost 600 volts. The head is the positive pole and the tail the negative. They can generate electricity every 25 seconds. With up to 600 volts an electric eel could power multiple light bulbs for a short time.
- Electric eels breathe through the air, often rising to the surface. 80% of the oxygen is obtained in this way; otherwise, they would die of suffocation.
- Electric eels live in waters with low oxygen levels. They tend to be muddy places, with muddy soil, where few fish like to inhabit.
- The electric eel is not fast at all, they are rather slow animals that live buried in the mud of the aquatic funds. With the adaptations they have to generate electricity, they do not need to escape from anyone quickly.
- As with other electric fish, these eels are nocturnal animals that take advantage of the night hours to hunt their prey.
- Since most electric eels can generate discharges of more than 600 volts, electric eels are dangerous. The electric shock may not be enough to be harmful, but people have drown as a result of being shocked by an electric eel.
- The reproduction of the electric eels is as rare as they are: during the mating season, the males prepare a nest of saliva and on this, the females lay their eggs.
Interesting Electric Eel Facts
Electric Eel Image by Image Flickr user Scott
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posted by Franklin Jose Navarro Pabon. Franklin has been writing for 9 years on various topics. He currently lives in Venezuela. He has multiple University degrees including Engineering, Attorney and experience in communication and as a profession chef.