Is there a possibility of getting an electric shock from an electric eel if you swim in a lake or river? Unless you are in South America, the answer is no! However, electric eels do exist.

Scientifically known as Electrophorus electricus, electric eels are a type of electric fish that can produce powerful electric shocks. They use these shocks for hunting and self-defense.

Interestingly, electric eels are not actually eels. They belong to a specific type of knifefish that mainly inhabits freshwater bodies in South America, such as the Amazon River.

Electric eels are more closely related to catfish than true eels. True eels do not possess the ability to generate electric shocks like electric eels do.

Electric eels have elongated bodies, reaching up to six feet in length, with a cylindrical shape. Due to their resemblance to true eels, they have been called electric eels since their discovery. Electric eels can weigh up to 45 pounds.

Unlike most fish, electric eels breathe air. They periodically come to the water’s surface every 10 minutes or so to take a breath before submerging again.

Electric eels have three sets of internal organs that generate electricity. These organs contain special cells called “electrocytes.” With their electrocytes, electric eels can produce both low and high voltage charges.

Electric eels produce electric shocks similar to a battery. Just like the stacked plates of a battery, the stacked electric cells can generate an electrical shock of 500 volts and 1 ampere. Such a shock would be lethal for an adult human!

Electric eels can control the intensity of their shocks, using lower voltages for hunting and higher voltages for self-defense.

Most of the time, electric eels produce lower voltage shocks that are sufficient to stun their prey or deter threatening animals. When threatened, electric eels can continuously produce intermittent electric shocks for at least an hour without showing signs of fatigue.

Electric eels are usually safe to be around only in zoos or aquariums. Some people have managed to keep them as pets, but they are very challenging — and dangerous — to catch in the wild.

Electric eels require a tank of at least 200 gallons and are usually kept alone since they are known to attack other fish.

Give It a Try

We hope you found today’s Wonder of the Day electrifying! Make sure to explore the following activities with a friend or family member:

Experiments with Electricity

Want to try experimenting with electricity at home? You can learn about electricity firsthand with just a few simple supplies. Here are some easy experiments that you can do with the help of an adult friend or family member:

1. Potato Clicks: Gather the necessary supplies and follow the instructions to create a simple electrical circuit using a potato.
2. The Lemon Battery: Explore the power of a lemon by creating a battery using a lemon, a few nails, and some copper wire.
3. Electrical Fleas: Learn about static electricity and create a simple experiment using a comb and small pieces of paper or plastic.

Discover the wonders of electricity by conducting these experiments and expanding your knowledge.

Special Powers in the Animal Kingdom

Electric eels possess the ability to generate electric shocks for hunting and self-defense. Are there any other animals with unique powers or abilities for hunting or self-defense? Consider the skunk, for example. Take some time to think of other examples, and if needed, conduct some research online. Share your findings with a friend or family member. Can they come up with any additional examples?

A Day in the Life of an Electric Eel

Imagine being an electric eel for a day. Put yourself in their “shoes” and think about their experiences. Do other marine creatures like electric eels? Why or why not? Do you think electric eels are misunderstood? Write a short story or a series of diary entries expressing how you believe an electric eel feels about its role in the marine environment. Let your imagination run wild and have fun with it!

FAQ

1. Are eels really electric?

Yes, eels are indeed electric. They belong to a group of fish known as electric fish, which have the ability to produce electric shocks. The electric eel, in particular, is famous for its electric abilities. It has specialized cells called electrocytes that can generate electric currents. These electric currents are used for various purposes, such as hunting prey, defending against predators, and even communicating with other eels.

2. How do electric eels generate electricity?

Electric eels have specialized organs called electrocytes that are stacked in layers like batteries. When these electrocytes are activated, they generate electrical impulses. These impulses can be as high as 600 volts in the case of electric eels. The electric eel can control the intensity and duration of the electric shocks it produces, allowing it to stun prey or deter predators.

3. Can electric eels harm humans?

Yes, electric eels can harm humans. While they are not typically aggressive towards humans, they can deliver powerful electric shocks if they feel threatened or provoked. These shocks can cause pain, muscle contractions, and even paralysis. In some rare cases, electric eel shocks have been known to be fatal, especially if the shock occurs near the head or chest area.

4. Are all eels electric?

No, not all eels are electric. Electric eels are a specific species of eel that possess the ability to generate electric shocks. They are found in the waters of South America. However, there are other species of fish that are also electric, such as the electric catfish and the electric ray. These fish use electricity for similar purposes, but they are not classified as eels.

5. Can electric eels produce electricity on demand?

Yes, electric eels can produce electricity on demand. They have the ability to control the generation of electric currents using their electrocytes. By activating these cells, the electric eel can produce electric shocks whenever it needs to, whether it’s for hunting, defending, or communicating. This ability to produce electricity on demand is one of the fascinating adaptations of electric eels.

6. Can other animals sense the electric fields produced by eels?

Yes, some animals have the ability to sense the electric fields produced by eels. Certain species of fish, such as the knife fish, have specialized organs called electroreceptors that can detect electric fields. These electroreceptors allow them to navigate and locate prey in dark or murky waters. It is believed that these electroreceptors have evolved as a response to the presence of electric fish like eels in their environment.