Despite its name, the electric eel is more closely related to carp and catfish than to other eels.
How does an electric eel work?
Aan electric eel produces electricity in electrocytes – special cells arranged like stacks of batteries – found in three separate organs.
The rapid transfer of sodium ions along the length of these electrocytes generates an electrical current at either high
or low voltage, depending on the organ producing the charge.
A high-level shock can carry 600 volts (V) at a current of
1 amp – enough to kill a human (though this rarely occurs).
Why do electric eels produce electricity?
Large doses of bioelectricity are used to deter predators or stun prey, while in murky water, low- level charges aid communication, navigation and prey location.
Does any other animal produce electricity?
Certain species of catfish and ray also generate electricity using the same method; catfish can produce up to 400V, rays up to 200V. The ability of these different fish to produce electricity is a nice example of convergent evolution – the independent development of similar adaptations in unrelated species.
Matt Doggett
How do electric eels avoid electrocuting themselves?
Eels could be unaffected by their own shocks because, at up to two metres long, they tend to be much bigger than the fish and crustaceans they hunt. Another possibility is that layers of fat insulate the electric organ, protecting the rest of the body. And being located at the end of the body, the electric organ is positioned a long way from the brain.
Out of water, eels do occasionally stun themselves, probably because the shock conducts across their wet skin, delivering a more potent shock.
Helen Scales