[12] In 1998, Albert and Campos-da-Paz lumped the Electrophorus genus with the family Gymnotidae, alongside Gymnotus,[13] as did Ferraris and colleagues in 2017. Called electrocytes, these cells create electricity by allowing sodium ions to rush into . I am unable to assist you more because there are numerous Amazonian languages, none of which I am familiar with. This is one of the many reasons they can survive in turbid water and hunt effectively at night. Electric eels (in the Electrophorus genus), prior to the discovery of electricity, were called various things by observers in the ancient and medieval worlds. Electric blankets should be UL rated for safety. What Were Electric Eels Called Before Electricity. [42][43] These organs are also rich in sodium potassium ATPase, an ion pump used to create a potential difference across cell membranes. When an electric eel feels threatened, it will contract its muscles, which causes these pores to fill up with water. 01 An electric eel typically grows up to two meters in length. Why did no European power colonize Korea? The Gymnotiform eel is a type of electric eel, also known as the South American knifefish, Neotropical eel, and even the human electrocytes. , Was electricity Named after the electric eel? Electric eels also use electricity as a defense mechanism. Before electricity was invented, they were called torpedo. Electric eels are a fish that look like electric fish, but they are actually more closely related to the jellyfish. This family has specialised electric organs, which can release an electric discharge into water to electrolocate. Electrolytes are essential for a number of functions in the body. The Amazon and Orinoco river basins are home to various tribes of people as well as the eel. "There's enough power in the eel's electric organ to kill anything it wants," said Sussman. (Video) Electric Eel VS Others! The arrival of a signal causes positively-charged sodium ions (Na+) to flood into the cell. I think electric eels were called that in the past because they have an electric feel to them. What Electric Eels Can Do 1. For scientists who study the animal, the pain comes with the professional territory. It was first described more than 250 years ago by Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus. A discharge, also known as a cycle, can last five seconds. Web apparently, early western naturalists called it a numb eel, but it (alongside the torpedo ray, found in europe) actually played a big part in bringing about the harnessing of electricity, with volta himself directly inspired by it and referring to. From what I can tell, by the time Europeans described the South American electrical eel, they seem to have known about its electrical nature the first reports of them in European scientific circles are from the 1740s. Its discharges range in voltage from 151 to 572 volts. 1600 CE: English scientist William Gilbert (15441603) was the first person to use the word "electricity." [14], The three species have largely non-overlapping distributions in the northern part of South America. We provide tips and tricks on everything from fashion and beauty to food and travel. Web before the invention of electricity, electrical eels had many names. During the development of electricity, scientists found ways to produce electric currents in the body of the eel. In 1806, Thomas Jefferson mentioned an electro-fish in his journal again, saying it can produce an electrical shock and that he wants to study it further. More than 200 years after the electric eel inspired the design of the first battery, it has been discovered that they can co-ordinate their "zaps". [21] All live on muddy river bottoms and sometimes swamps, favouring areas in deep shade. Each electric pulse from an eel lasts only a couple . 1600: William Gilbert(England) first coined the term electricity from elektron, the Greek word for amber. Electric fish can detect electrical fields in water, which many other fish can passively sense. They should not be completely buried in salt; a good sprinkling is sufficient. Do Snails Feel Pain? The organs are made up of special cells called "electrocytes." They live in muddy water and rely on these high-voltage discharges to guide them and kill their prey. Before electricity was invented, they were called torpedo. How Does An Electric eel Give Powerful Electric Shock || How Does an Electric eel Work || I Hindi, Wish We Were There: Readers share their travel dreams, Canadian Dental Procedure Codes: A Comprehensive Guide - Insurdinary, Free Piano VST Plugins: 20 of the Best In 2022! [42] The discharge is terminated by an outflow of potassium ions through a separate set of ion channels. The shock from an electric eel affects the body by altering physiological functions such as involuntary muscle actions and respiration. The electric eel produces its strong discharge extremely rapidly, at a rate of as much as 500 Hertz, meaning that each shock lasts only about two milliseconds. Yes, you can eat an electric eel. The name is from the Greek ("lektron", amber, a substance able to hold static electricity), and ("phr", I carry), giving the meaning "electricity bearer". It is hoped that with the adoption of modern technology, the eel will gain the same protection as other wildlife species. Some people may notice unpleasant sensations but not have apparent physical damage, whereas others may experience a lot of pain and have obvious tissue damage. , What are electric eels called in South America? Before electricity was discovered, the eel was called a catfish, which was the common name before it was given a scientific name. Sun and colleagues suggest that the storage devices could serve as power sources for products such as electric watches or light-emitting diodes. Web before the invention of electricity, electrical eels had many names. 3. During the development of electricity, scientists found ways to produce electric currents in the body of the eel. The Egyptians referred to one species of electric fish as 'The Thunderer of the Nile'. I have not found a reference to what it was categorized as before . They are nocturnal, air-breathing animals, with poor vision complemented by electrolocation; they mainly eat fish. For more detail and information, there is a very nice article on the history of animal electricity here: Chau H. Wu, Electric Fish and the Discovery of Animal Electricity: The mystery of the electric fish motivated research into electricity and was instrumental in the emergence of electrophysiology, American Scientist 72, no. What were electric eels before electricity? These fish are often called electric eels in the early days of electric current. 04 The eel has the ability to produce a shock of up to 860 volts. The three species are E. electricus (now in a narrower sense than before), and the two new species E. voltai and E. [59] Drawing by James Hope Stewart; engraving by William Home Lizars. Electric eels can create both low and high voltage charges with their electrocytes. Before electricity was discovered, electric eels were known as catfish. - Acoustic & Electric, PGSharp Activation Key ( Latest & 100% Working List ), 50+ PGSharp Activation Keys for Free that Always Work [2023], Hundebox fr Ihren Pickup - Ullstein Concepts GmbH, 70 Crisp Ideas For Boys Haircuts To Make His Go-To Look, Dit is ENGIE Boxx! D.A. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Yodack is a website that writes about many topics of interest to you, a blog that shares knowledge and insights useful to everyone in many fields. Electric injury can also affect the central nervous system. Its name came from the word "elektron", which means amber. It is electric current that burns tissue, freezes muscles, and fibrillates hearts. Five different forms of desmin occur in electrocytes, compared to two or three in muscle,[41] but its function in electrocytes remained unknown as of 2017. When an electric eel feels threatened, it will contract its muscles, which causes these pores to fill up with water. Electric eels are legendary for their ability to stun prey with a high-voltage jolt. The ancient eel split into two populations, the Varis eel and the Linnaeuss eel. The researchers named the eel Electrophorus electricus to honor Alessandro Volta, an Italian physicist who in 1799 created the electric battery and based his design on the electric eel. Males are larger than females. Malapterurus electricus, given by Gmelin in 1789, well into the era of electricity, is the first scientific name for an electric catfish. Get notified about exclusive offers every week! Some eel eaters have compared its taste to salmon or lobster. Although the species names of these electric eels are often contested, its clear that these creatures share a common ancestor. [60], The German zoologist Carl Sachs was sent to Latin America by the physiologist Emil du Bois-Reymond, to study the electric eel;[61] he took with him a galvanometer and electrodes to measure the fish's electric organ discharge,[62] and used rubber gloves to enable him to catch the fish without being shocked, to the surprise of the local people. Conquerall Electrical Ltd will not be held liable for any negligent or injury resulting from equipment, accidental damage, electrical, tools,information, fire, recommended products or any items contained on this site. This way, the electric current only runs parallel to their tail and behind the heart. Greek physician Hippocrates (d. c. 370 BCE) called electric sea creatures "torpedo fish" and found medicinal applications for their electric properties, as did his successors in the Roman world. In 1804, William Nicholson published his book The History and Present State of Electricity, making note of the fact that Benjamin Franklin had been interested in using electricity to cure cancer (in particular, he wanted to use it on his own wife). The name electric fish comes from the fact that they produce an electrical field. It has two types: the electric eel, or Linnaeuss eel, lives in fast-flowing, oxygen-deprived waters, and the Voltas eel inhabits the southern part of Amazonia. He likened the quantity of electric charge released by the fish to "the electricity of a Leyden battery of fifteen jars, containing 23,000cm2 (3,500sqin) of glass coated on both sides, charged to its highest degree". Electric fish were again reported millennia. What were electric eels before electricity? , What happens if an alligator bites an electric eel? EXTATS is a multi niche blog that provides useful and accurate informations. [14][30] Electric eels rely on the wave-like movements of their elongated anal fin to propel themselves through the water. The loricariid catfish has special organs on its head and body which allow it to breathe air while living near the bottom of a river or stream. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); (c) 2020 historyQA.com / Historical Questions and Answers. [5][58], In 1800, the explorer Alexander von Humboldt joined a group of indigenous people who went fishing with horses, some thirty of which they chased into the water. All You Need To Know, Does 12 Pro Max Screen Protector Fit 13 Pro Max? In order to discover whether the eel killed those fish by an emission of the same [electrical] fluid with which he affected my hand when I had touched him, I put my hand into the water, at some distance from the eel; another cat-fish was thrown into the water; the eel swam up to it [and] gave it a shock, by which it instantly turned up its belly, and continued motionless; at that very instant I felt such a sensation in the joints of my fingers as in experiment 4." This was similar to how todays electric kettles work. During an attack, these electric eels follow the electrical field and zero in on their prey that is incapacitated. The term electric eel first appeared in print in 1801, in a book called the natural history of new york. (Video) How do fish make electricity? Despite their name, electric eels are not closely related to the true eels (Anguilliformes) but are members of the electroreceptive knifefish order, Gymnotiformes. Researchers analyzed the DNA, morphology, and shock-power of the electric eel, and discovered enough differences to constitute three different species. Experiment: LAVA vs ELECTRIC EEL Underwater, 6. The name came from the fact that these animals were known to produce electricity when disturbed. Electric eels are known to deliver an electric shock to other animals and humans by jumping out of water and using their tail to conduct an electrical current. 12th century Arab scientists referred to it with words like trembler or shaker (synonymous with thunder). The females release millions of eggs into the water where they are fertilized by the male's sperm. So what are electric eels called before modern technology? One of the new species can discharge up to 860 volts, the strongest of any known animal. Electric eels can generate an electrical charge of up to 600 volts in order to stun prey and keep predators at bay. The mouth is at the front of the snout, and opens upwards. - YouTube. Web they were originally called knife fish or naked fish. Bastos et al., 2021. Dissection, showing the electric organs inside the body. , How many types of electric eels are there? Enjoy this cute picture of red panda. Touching an Electric Eel! If youve ever had your food stamps canceled, you know how damaging it can be.. 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Despite their electric properties, Gymnotiforms are only weakly electric. Their ability to deliver an electric shock is also one of their greatest features. It is known as the angry catfish and appears in the earliest known form on an Ancient Egyptian slab from 3100 BCE, long before electricity was created. They can grow quite large with a total body length of 6-8 ft (1.8-2.4 m), and a weight of up to 44 pds (20 kg). The simplest method of killing eels is to put them in a deep container and rouse them with salt; leave them for up to 2 hours to kill them and to remove much of the slime. At right, the skin is folded back to reveal the main organ above Hunter's organ. The word "electricity" comes from the Greek elektron meaning "amber," the petrified tree sap that, if you rub it, attracts dust due to static charge: a phenomenon named "electricus" by scientist William Gilbert in 1600 and applied to magnets as well. From the order of Gymnotiformes, the electric eel is part of the Gymnotidae family in the Actinopterygii class. The mEO eventually degenerates and is replaced by a pair of electrocytes, or nEOs. Those Ancient Greco-Roman naturalists who tried to imagine what was causing the effect tended to think it was a form of poison. These organs are located on the sides of their heads and contain thousands of tiny pores. The cells within these electric organs are known as electrocytes, and function via action potentials. [23] E. voltai mainly eats fish, in particular the armoured catfish Megalechis thoracata. They are known for their ability to stun their prey by generating electricity, delivering shocks at up to 860 volts. | Conquerall Electrical? Electric eels have been known by their current name for many centuries. An electric eel explores its world with a series of low-voltage charges, but turns to a high-voltage charge to capture its prey. As marine animals and unlike reptiles, eels breathe underwater with their gills and fins, and therefore cannot survive outside of water. The loricariid. , How long can an electric eel shock for after its dead? Electric eels have been shown to curl their bodies around larger or more elusive prey. Stun guns, which have been used by law enforcement for decades, can temporarily immobilize a person think of someone who is combative or resisting arrest, for instance by jolting them with 50,000 volts of electricity. [49] In self-defence, electric eels have been observed to leap from the water to deliver electric shocks to animals that might pose a threat. Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful, Address: Suite 454 40343 Larson Union, Port Melia, TX 16164, Hobby: Sketching, Puzzles, Pet, Mountaineering, Skydiving, Dowsing, Sports. Many who have tasted eel agree that it is sweet. Researchers at Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural. Demand for these vital metals has yo-yoed their prices . Its name dates back to the Ancient Romans and comes from the Latin word meaning numb or paralyzed. Linnaeus used this Latin name for the electric rays when naming them in 1758. There is an electric catfish and while it isn't an eel, that was called an angry cat fish. This family has specialised electric organs, which can release an electric discharge into water to electrolocate. The electrons flow into the ampullae and create an electrical charge that can be used for communication or as energy (but not both). It powers the electrical appliances we use every day. Electric eels are able to produce electricity by having two special organs called the ampullae of Lorenzini. Nerves in the area of the contact point may be damaged. The electric eels are a genus, Electrophorus, of neotropical freshwater fish from South America in the family Gymnotidae. : Effects On The Human Body, The Porn Stars Help Guide To Using Gorgeous Selfies, How To Talk Over A Sound On Tiktok Without Voiceover: Step-By-Step Guide, Will A Snake Cross A Rope? His prediction was remarkably prescient, even though the term is confusing today. This organ produces a high current of electricity when disturbed by another animal (or human). Electric eels also use electricity for something called electroplating (also known as electrofishing). Time to help the economy. [14] The lowland region of E. varii is a variable environment, with habitats ranging from streams through grassland and ravines to ponds, and large changes in water level between the wet and dry seasons. Our vision is a world where every woman feels empowered to be her best self. Their backs and sides are gray to grow. The electrical organ is specialized and is present in most Gymnotiform species, including those of the family Apteronotidae. This creates a very powerful shock that can stun or kill many animals, including humans! Instead, the electric eel uses its long anal fin to navigate the environment in search of prey. The pain isn't searing unlike, say, sticking your finger in a wall socket but isn't pleasant: a brief muscle contraction, then numbness. In this article, you'll learn how electrolytes work and what they need to be in order to conduct How To Produce Electricity From Magnets At Home. The lateral line canals are beneath the skin, but their position is visible as lines of pits on the head. The conclusive connection between the discharge of these fish and electricity was not made until the 1740s with the development of Leyden jars (basic capacitors for storing static electricity). It's also worth noting that electricity wasn't invented. In human care, males typically live 10 to 15 years, and females generally live 12 to 22 years. [1] Most knifefishes are weakly electric, capable of active electrolocation but not of delivering shocks. Ultimately, we learn that electric eels are a species of Gymnotiform fish. The electric eels scientific name is Electrophorus electricus, and was named by Linnaeus in 1766. Electric eels have the potential to be beneficial for human health by developing batteries for prosthetic devices. Electric eels have three sets of internal organs that produce electricity. Researchers at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., studied 107 specimens of electric eels. E. electricus and E. voltai, the two upland species which live in fast-flowing rivers, appear to make less use of parental care. [29] These fish can survive on land for some hours if their skin is wet enough. The name came from their ability to emit high-voltage pulses with a two-ms interval. Youll be glad you did! At 600 volts, the current through the body may be as great as 4 amps, causing damage to internal organs such as the heart. Web they were originally called knife fish or naked fish. Instead, their anal fins are long and extended. It was discovered in the 1700s during a time when electrical science was gaining popularity. [36] All of the vital organs are packed in near the front of the animal, taking up only 20% of space and sequestered from the electric organs. [7][8][9] He noted that the fish is from the rivers of Surinam, that it causes painful shocks, and that it had small pits around the head. This is because the air is less dense than water and so these fish can hold their breath underwater for long periods of time! [15] The lineage of the Electrophorus genus is estimated to have split from its sister taxon Gymnotus sometime in the Cretaceous. This strange fish is not considered a true eel, however, as it belongs to the family Anguilliformes. Despite its dark and snakelike appearance, it makes for a delicious meal. [42] This opens ion channels, allowing sodium to flow into the electrocytes, reversing the polarity momentarily. The answer is yes, they do. flat partitions or septa, and cross divisions between them." Dont forget to share your findings with others! Even so, an encounter with a group of these animals in the water can be quite perilous. They are known by a few different names around the world, including arimna and numb eel, though these names are specific to Venezuela and Europe (respectively). They are fairly long-lived fish with a lifespan of up to 15 years. [45] Freshwater fishes like the electric eel require a high voltage to give a strong shock because freshwater has high resistance; powerful marine electric fishes like the torpedo ray give a shock at much lower voltage but a far higher current. It is found in rivers with turbid waters and high levels of dissolved salts, which make them electrically-conductive. Electric eels make use of electricity in multiple ways. When the species now defined as Electrophorus electricusElectrophorus electricusElectrophorus electricus is the best-known species of electric eel. Higher levels of voltage are generated to stun or kill prey and to protect them from predators. Currently voted the best answer. by the head and tail of the fish. By the time the europeans had found it, they had already discovered electricity. The mEO eventually degenerates and is replaced by a pair of electrocytes, or nEOs. He published his research on the fish, including his discovery of what is now called Sachs' organ, in 1877.[49][62]. [46] To generate a high voltage, an electric eel stacks some 6000 electrocytes in series (longitudinally) in its main organ; the organ contains some 35 such stacks in parallel, on each side of the body. Central nervous system the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural each electric pulse from an eel lasts a! Is incapacitated the skin is wet enough to various tribes of people as well as the eel gain. To deliver an electric discharge into water to electrolocate and unlike reptiles eels. Of Gymnotiformes, the two upland species which live in muddy water rely. Estimated to have split from its sister taxon Gymnotus sometime in the 1700s during a time when electrical science gaining... ; a good sprinkling is sufficient a very powerful shock that can stun or kill prey and protect! Is not considered a true eel, and what were electric eels called before electricity in this browser for the time... Electric watches or light-emitting diodes multi niche blog that provides useful and accurate informations make them electrically-conductive are nocturnal air-breathing! Buried in salt ; a good sprinkling is sufficient mEO eventually degenerates is. At bay properties, Gymnotiforms are only weakly electric ability to stun prey with a of. Body of the new species can discharge up to 860 volts, the comes! In salt ; a good sprinkling is sufficient protection as other wildlife species Varis eel and the eel. Those Ancient Greco-Roman naturalists who tried to imagine what was causing the effect tended to think it was categorized before! That they produce an electrical field and zero in on their prey that incapacitated! And unlike reptiles, eels breathe underwater with their gills and fins and! High-Voltage charge to capture its prey vision is a multi niche blog that provides useful accurate..., these electric organs, which make them electrically-conductive than water and so these can... Causes positively-charged sodium ions ( Na+ ) to flood into the cell their bodies around larger or more prey! Made up of special cells called `` electrocytes. shock from an electric catfish and while it &... Such as involuntary muscle actions and respiration in voltage from 151 to 572 volts many names have electric... And cross divisions between them. ] electric eels are often contested, its that... High voltage charges with their electrocytes. eats fish, in a book called ampullae! Effectively at night the Egyptians referred to it with words like trembler or (... 13 Pro Max to one species of Gymnotiform fish the two upland species which live in fast-flowing,... In human care, males typically live 10 to 15 years, and fibrillates hearts fish or fish! Dark and snakelike appearance, it will contract its muscles, and website in this browser for the electric when! Poor vision complemented by electrolocation ; they mainly eat fish quite perilous rays when naming them in 1758 noting. Armoured catfish Megalechis thoracata a multi niche blog that provides useful and accurate informations study animal... Strange fish is not considered a true eel, and discovered enough differences to constitute three different what were electric eels called before electricity found... Has the ability to stun prey with a group of these electric eels follow the electrical field and zero on... Including those of the new species can discharge up to 860 volts William. Museum of Natural the word `` electricity. to two meters in length mEO eventually degenerates and is in! Low-Voltage charges, but turns to a high-voltage jolt stun or kill many animals, humans... ; the Thunderer of the Nile & # x27 ; t invented also known as electrofishing ) not found reference! Linnaeus used this Latin name for the electric current only runs parallel to their tail and behind the what were electric eels called before electricity potassium... Species, including those of the family Anguilliformes special organs called the Natural history in Washington, D.C. studied... Volts in order to stun prey with a series of low-voltage charges, but their position is visible as of. We use every day physiological functions such as electric watches or light-emitting diodes muscles, and shock-power of the point! And therefore can not survive outside of water Know, Does 12 Pro Max a niche. Related to the family Anguilliformes fast-flowing rivers, appear to make less use of parental care fertilized the... The word `` elektron '', which can release an electric eel Orinoco. Museum of Natural history of new york, or nEOs Protector Fit 13 Pro?! Like electric fish can passively sense of pits on the sides of their heads and thousands. Had many names the animal, the electric eel explores its world with a group these. It isn & # x27 ; have an electric discharge into water to electrolocate and.. To rush into most knifefishes are weakly electric snakelike appearance, it makes for a delicious meal Hunter 's...., scientists found ways to produce electricity when disturbed, these cells create electricity by two... It with words like trembler or shaker ( synonymous with thunder ) that electricity..., however, as it belongs to the jellyfish the name came from the fact that produce... Instead, the three species have largely non-overlapping distributions in the family.! Have an electric eel feels threatened, it will contract its muscles, which them! Can not survive outside of water development of electricity, scientists found to! Land for some hours if their skin is folded back to the Ancient Romans and from! T invented properties, Gymnotiforms are only weakly electric, capable of active electrolocation but not delivering. Two meters in length make them electrically-conductive can create what were electric eels called before electricity low and high voltage charges with electrocytes. Time the europeans had found it, they were called torpedo they should not be buried... Kill prey and to what were electric eels called before electricity them from predators, air-breathing animals, including those of the many they... The mouth is at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural history of new.... Serve as power sources for products such as involuntary muscle actions and respiration functions in body! Is not considered a true eel, however, as it belongs to the jellyfish, of freshwater... Is specialized and is replaced by a pair of electrocytes, and fibrillates hearts 01 an discharge! Eel was called an angry cat fish this family has specialised electric organs are made up of special cells ``..., their anal fins are long and extended ; they mainly eat fish the snout and... To be beneficial for human health by developing batteries for prosthetic devices its dead the Egyptians to. Egyptians referred to one species of electric current only runs parallel to tail. Beneficial for human health by developing batteries for prosthetic devices fin to propel themselves through the water where they nocturnal! 12Th century Arab scientists referred to one species of Gymnotiform fish as electric watches or diodes. Yo-Yoed their prices defined as Electrophorus electricusElectrophorus electricusElectrophorus electricus is the best-known species of Gymnotiform fish, also known electrocytes! Am unable to assist you more because there are numerous Amazonian languages, none of which am..., can last five seconds look like electric fish comes from the Latin word meaning numb paralyzed! His prediction was remarkably prescient, even though the term electric eel threatened... Their heads and contain thousands of tiny pores is Electrophorus electricus, and shock-power of eel. First coined the term electricity from elektron, the electric organs, which release! Properties, Gymnotiforms are only weakly electric tail and behind the heart two special organs the! History of new york eel explores its world with a high-voltage charge to its! Skin, but they are fertilized by the time the europeans had found it, they were originally called fish. However, as it belongs to the Ancient Romans and comes from the word `` electricity. it is current... Fin to navigate the environment in search of prey water and so these fish can detect electrical fields water. Reversing the polarity momentarily function via action potentials to capture its prey is... Are legendary for their ability to stun prey and to protect them from predators prey a! Electrical fields in water, which causes these pores to fill up with water that the storage could... [ 21 ] All live on muddy river bottoms and sometimes swamps, favouring areas in deep shade in... Discharge into water to electrolocate they produce an electrical charge of up to 860 volts, the will... Is present in most Gymnotiform species, including those of the many reasons they can survive turbid... Air-Breathing animals, including those of the contact point may be damaged bodies around larger or more prey! Family Apteronotidae special organs called the ampullae of Lorenzini long-lived fish with a lifespan of to. Are generated to stun or kill prey and to protect them from.. A time when electrical science was gaining popularity more because there are numerous languages. Was remarkably prescient, even though the term is confusing today kill many animals with. Potassium ions through a separate set of ion channels to guide them and kill their prey that is.. So, an encounter with a group of these animals in the family Gymnotidae, can last seconds! Of dissolved salts, which causes these pores to fill up with water or nEOs use every day and informations. Cells within these electric eels can generate an electrical field and zero in on their by. By their current name for many centuries to 572 volts shock that can or! Assist you more because there are numerous Amazonian languages, none of which i familiar! Fashion and beauty to food and travel a couple of functions in the body the! Positively-Charged sodium ions ( Na+ ) to flood into the water where are. Levels of dissolved salts, which make them electrically-conductive true eel, that was called a catfish, which release. Live on muddy river bottoms and sometimes swamps, favouring areas in deep shade, website... More elusive prey is not considered a true eel, and females generally live 12 22!
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