They're carnivores, eating small invertebrates such as shrimp and crabs when they're young. The electric eel can generate deadly shocks up to 600 volts strong. Adult electric eels eat a variety of fish, amphibians, birds and even small mammals. credit by exam that is accepted by over 1,500 colleges and universities. If it can barely see as it swims through murky waters with bad eyesight, how does it find food? The electric eel is a carnivoroushunter, meaning that it eats other animals. Electric eels inhabit fresh waters of the Amazon and Orinoco River basins in South America, in floodplains, swamps, creeks, small rivers, and coastal plains. The electric eel's charge is about five times the voltage of a typical wall socket. High oxygen to chase them down and feed them bait/taming feed. Tribes That Eat Eel: 4. Log in or sign up to add this lesson to a Custom Course. credit-by-exam regardless of age or education level. Juveniles feed primarily on invertebrates, and newly hatched electric eels will eat remaining, unhatched eggs. Once detected, it can send ou… Despite its name, the electric eel is a knifefish, not an eel. But the largest of eels, such as the moray, have very few natural … https://www.britannica.com/animal/Electrophorus-fish-genus. It is a member of the order Gymnotiformes and is more related to carp and catfish. Electric eels will even eat small mammals that come to the water's edge. Some areas have strict laws prohibiting hobbyists from keeping electric eels because they pose a potential threat to local fish and human populations if they were to escape. (photo source [ 1]) Study.com has thousands of articles about every Despite its name, the electric eel is not a true eel … Adult electric eels are generalist carnivores, eating fish, crustaceans, insects and small vertebrates, such as amphibians, reptiles and mammals. Electric eels evolve into alligator gars and sawfish (player-determined). Electric eels are not eels at all, but a form of knife fish, somewhat related to catfish. Electric eels are freshwater fish that resemble eels and can produce large electrical shocks of up to 600 volts, which they use to stun prey. Electric eels can grow up to 2.5 metres and only need to surface for air every 10 minutes due to the eels complex circulatory system. All rights reserved. Not sure what college you want to attend yet? Create an account to start this course today. The electric eels are carnivorous in nature and their immense predatory instincts makes them devour anything and everything that comes there way, provided that they fit inside their mouth. The electric eel is also unusual among fish species in that it gets most of its oxygen through direct breathing. and career path that can help you find the school that's right for you. The Electric Eel is a tier 9 animal. Earn Transferable Credit & Get your Degree. The electric eel lives in freshwater habitats. First, it emits very low voltage shocks (about 10 volts) and uses them as radar to locate other living organisms. The electric eel uses its electricity in two ways. As far as their danger to humans, electric eels will only attack if disturbed and even then, deaths are extremely rare. Facts about Electric Eels 9: the food. The electric eel is one of the principal aquatic predators of the whitewater flooded forest known as varzea. If these animals decide to eat the electric eels when it is alive these animals will get shocked very very badly. Many fish are able to create an electrical charge to use as “radar”. flashcard set{{course.flashcardSetCoun > 1 ? Reaching up to eight feet in length, this can be one monstrous fish! Electric eels can reach 8 feet in length and weigh up to 44 pounds. courses that prepare you to earn It is not u… On the other hand, eels were a traditional meal eaten by indigenous American tribes. It has very poor eyesight but relies on its electrical abilities to find its prey. © copyright 2003-2020 Study.com. Did you know… We have over 220 college Stay clear if not prepared. A top predator in its habitat, the electric eel uses its electrical shock abilities to locate and stun its prey. African Bush Elephant Diet: Lesson for Kids, What Do Electric Eels Eat: Quiz & Worksheet for Kids, Over 83,000 lessons in all major subjects, {{courseNav.course.mDynamicIntFields.lessonCount}}, What Did Dinosaurs Eat? If it can barely see as it swims through murky waters with bad eyesight, how does it find food? This large shock doesn't kill the prey, but stuns it so that the eel can catch and eat the unfortunate victim. Moray eels have sharp, pointed teeth … The animals that can eat electric eels are caimans, American crocodiles, and piranhas. It's true; this can be a deadly combination. They’re also common in other Asian countries like Korea, Hong Kong, and Philippines. Get the unbiased info you need to find the right school. The critters are native to South American rivers, but they don’t spend all their time underwater. Electric eels tend to live on muddy bottoms in calm water and in stagnant arms of rivers, where … Some types of mammals, such as raccoons, like to eat freshwater eels. It's the electric eel, and it uses its powerful shock to catch prey. | {{course.flashcardSetCount}} Riot Armor / high fortitude for Torpor reduction recommended. No other animals prey on the electric eel because of its electrical voltage. Small mammals and fish are other foods for adult electric eels. Electric eels can reach huge proportions, exceeding 8 feet in length and 44 pounds in weight. Electric eels tend to live in muddy beds in calm water, eating fish and small mammals. These victims include smaller fish, insects and larvae. A top predator in its habitat, the electric eel uses its electrical shock abilities to locate and stun its prey. In one fish survey of a typical varzea, electric eels made up more than 70 percent of the fish biomass. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Help support true facts by becoming a member. Join us as we uncover the dietary habits of the electric eel. The primary food for electric eels is invertebrates. To learn more, visit our Earning Credit Page. They are carnivores (meat-eaters) that eat other fish, amphibians, birds and small mammals. They live mainly in rivers and inland lakes but can be found in almost all types of waters, usually well inland from the coast. What Animals Eat Electric Eels? It's a toothless fish and must swallow its food whole. They enjoy feasting on fish and amphibians, and will also catch birds that they find in and on the water. The electric eel is a long, snakelike fish with a flattened head that lives in South America. Young eels can only send out mild shocks, but they're strong enough to stun smaller animals. If these animals decide to eat the electric eels when it is alive these animals will get shocked very very badly. Electric eels also eat fruit that falls from trees whose canopies hang over rivers. Longfin eels can be found throughout New Zealand. Passive tame, it is very aggressive with a wide aggro radius. Much of the fish is devoted to the three types of organs that are responsible for generating its high-voltage and low-voltage electricity. Electric eels have cylindrical bodies, up to 2 meters (about 8 feet) in length. Sciences, Culinary Arts and Personal So, you may find it quite shocking that there is an animal that produces high voltage electricity underwater! study It lurks in muddy, murky bodies of water such as swamps, ponds, streams and river basins in South America. just create an account. Electric eels are found inhabiting fresh waters of the Amazon and Orinoco river basins in South America, and the electric eels tend to prefer the river floodplains, swamps, coastal plains, and creeks. Services. The Electric Eel is … {{courseNav.course.mDynamicIntFields.lessonCount}} lessons If you've ever accidentally shocked yourself while plugging something in, you know this would be a tremendous shock! Rather, it's a very close relative of the catfish. An unlucky alligator had his last meal when he decided to bite into an electric eel. The electric eel is a carnivorous hunter, meaning that it eats other animals. Electric Eel . They often live on muddy bottoms in calm or stagnant waters. Refer to the list below to find out where exactly eels were eaten during these times. Log in here for access. first two years of college and save thousands off your degree. Wendy has taught high school Biology and has a master's degree in education. Young electric eels eat bottom dwelling insects and small fish until they are old enough to hunt larger prey. The fish surface every 10 minutes or so to take large gulps of air, which supply as much as 80% of their oxygen. The Electric Eel is a fascinating creature, and one that allows electric currents to be able to be generated. 1. Electric eels are among the principal aquatic predators of the white-water flooded forest known as varzea. The female … They are legendary climbers and have made their way well inland in most river systems, even those with natural barriers. - Lesson for Kids, What Does an Octopus Eat? Eels have many predators, including large fish and seabirds. The electric eel is a carnivorous fish that can produce a tremendous electrical shock to catch its prey. They also feed on other invertebrates and small mammals. They move by undulating their bodies, and can even move in reverse direction. People eat eels, too, and sometimes set traps for them. They … The fish live in the Amazon and Orinoco freshwater river basins in South America. They can only eat electric eels when the eels are dead. Electric eels are solitary animals (live on their own). The electric eel uses its electricity in two ways. It got its name from its eel-shaped body, which can grow to 9 ft (2.75 m) long and weigh almost 50 lbs (22.7 kg). Teeth and Diet Snowflake eels have blunt teeth made to grind prey with shells, such as mollusks, crabs and shrimp. … To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. It's a toothless fish and must swallow its food whole. Fresh water eat electric eelsuch as unagi and marine eels like anago and conger eels are common in Japanese cuisine, and they can be pretty expensive. Mount Basilosaurusand allow the Electrophorus to shock your creature, while moun… To note, the Electric Eelis not actually an eel, but a type of Kni… Juvenile electric eels eat invertebrates such as shrimp and crabs, while adults eat fish, crustaceans and amphibians. The reproduction process of electric eels is unique. Electric Eels Breathe Air. In Japan, where eel meat is considered an important part of their cuisine, eels are popularly cooked as kabayaki, where the fish is butterflied through the belly or back, marinated in a soy sauce-based mixture, then grilled.In a different dish, unadon, the serving is in a donburi type of bowl of hot rice topped with pieces of eels cooked in kabayaki style. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. 2. In addition to defense, electric eels use their shocking power to hunt. Eels are also quite popular in China, and they’re prepared in many different ways. As adults, electric eels eat a wide variety of other animals. Eels are a large group of fish usually distinguished by their elongated appearance and small fins, belonging to the Order Anguilliformes. Electric Eel Facts and Information Electrophorus electricus Introduction to Electric Eel. NOW 50% OFF! No other animals prey on the electric eel because of its electrical voltage. Select a subject to preview related courses: Young electric eels like to feast on invertebrates such as freshwater shrimps and crabs. Visit the Plants & Animals for Kids page to learn more. "There's virtually no evidence of what electric eels actually eat. What does this electrified fish like to eat? Anyone can earn keeping sockets closed with plastic covers are all important parts of electrical safety at home Their long and cylindrical body can be white, black, blue, purple or grey in color. imaginable degree, area of Facts about Electric Eels 10: reproduction. Despite its name and appearance, the electric eel isn't actually an eel at all. Innovations in Reading Award Winner Scott Lindenbaum Explains the Origins of Electric Literature, Diet Counselor: Job Duties & Career Requirements, How to Become an Electric Car Technician: Education and Career Roadmap, Graduate Programs Related to Diet and Health: Degree Options, Electric Car Engineer: Job Outlook & Career Info, Electric Motor Technician Career Information, Guitar-Making Schools and Colleges: How to Choose, Nutritional Psychology Degrees & Programs, Electric Meter Installation Courses and Classes Overview, Online Classes and Courses on Electrical Codes, Best Online Electrical Engineering Bachelor's Degrees, Warehouse Management Degree and Certification Information, Art History Graduate Programs in New York City, Conservative Christian Colleges in California, Animal Habitats & Endangerment for Elementary School, Middle School Earth Science: Homework Help Resource, Middle School Earth Science: Tutoring Solution, CSET Science Subtest II Earth and Space Sciences (219): Test Prep & Study Guide, Praxis Earth & Space Sciences - Content Knowledge (5571): Practice & Study Guide, CSET Science Subtest II Chemistry (218): Practice & Study Guide, SAT Subject Test Biology: Practice and Study Guide, NY Regents Exam - Chemistry: Test Prep & Practice, NY Regents Exam - Physics: Test Prep & Practice, UExcel Earth Science: Study Guide & Test Prep, Quiz & Worksheet - Patient Education Functions, Quiz & Worksheet - Therapeutic Communication, Quiz & Worksheet - Patient Education Issues, Quiz & Worksheet - Patient Education for Adults, Quiz & Worksheet - Patient Discharge Planning, CPA Subtest IV - Regulation (REG): Study Guide & Practice, CPA Subtest III - Financial Accounting & Reporting (FAR): Study Guide & Practice, ANCC Family Nurse Practitioner: Study Guide & Practice, Advantages of Self-Paced Distance Learning, Advantages of Distance Learning Compared to Face-to-Face Learning, Top 50 K-12 School Districts for Teachers in Georgia, Finding Good Online Homeschool Programs for the 2020-2021 School Year, Coronavirus Safety Tips for Students Headed Back to School, Congruence Properties of Line Segments & Angles, Nurse Ratched Character Analysis & Symbolism, Quiz & Worksheet - Factoring Quadratic Expressions, Quiz & Worksheet - The Pit and the Pendulum Theme & Symbols, Quiz & Worksheet - Soraya in The Kite Runner, Quiz & Worksheet - Hassan in The Kite Runner, Flashcards - Real Estate Marketing Basics, Flashcards - Promotional Marketing in Real Estate, High School Science Worksheets and Printables, Physical Geology for Teachers: Professional Development, Integrating Different Types of Analysis: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.7, Quiz & Worksheet - The Impact of the Glorious Revolution, Quiz & Worksheet - Strategies & Programs for Reading Intervention, Quiz & Worksheet - Influences of Ulrich Zwingli & John Calvin, Quiz & Worksheet - James-Lange & Cannon-Bard Theories of Emotion, Quiz & Worksheet - Differential Reinforcement Theory, Biography of Raphael: Paintings, Architecture & Major Works, Learning Multiplication Facts to 10 Using Doubling, FTCE Professional Education Test: Passing Score, Tech and Engineering - Questions & Answers, Health and Medicine - Questions & Answers, Working Scholars® Bringing Tuition-Free College to the Community. How does it use its electricity, and which unfortunate animals become its victims? Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Have you ever heard that it's dangerous to mix electricity and water? For the most part, Eels are predators of other fish. The Electric Eel Electrophorus electricus is one of several species of fish that possess organs that can produce electricity. 's' : ''}}. Elvers (young eels) swimming up river will climb waterfalls and even dams by leaving the water and wriggling over damp areas. Only Humans eat the electric eel. 3. First, it emits very low voltage shocks (about 10 volts) and uses them as radar to locate other living organisms. Create your account, Already registered? They can only eat electric eels when the eels are dead. Britannica Kids Holiday Bundle! Electric eels are abundant throughout their range, but cannot be collected without a scientific permit. Read on to learn more. The animals that can eat electric eels are caimans, American crocodiles, and piranhas. The electric eel is a sluggish creature that prefers slow-moving fresh water, where it surfaces every few minutes to gulp air. 1. {{courseNav.course.topics.length}} chapters | You can test out of the First, let's take a quick look at this animal. 42,000 XP is required for a snapping turtle to evolve into an electric eel. They can be found in a variety of environments from deep seas to shallow coastal waters, to fresh waters. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. In one fish survey of a typical varzea, electric eels made up more than 70 percent of the fish biomass. Group of eels … They may look like a snake, but they aren’t even a real eel. Only Humans eat the electric eel. Certain cultures forbid eating eel, for example, the Jewish religion does not allow the consumption of eel and shellfish. They are not eaten, just because there is relatively little flesh suitable for consumption by humans. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Once detected, it can send out the larger shocks, which can reach over 600 volts. 1 Mechanics 2 Abilities 2.1 Passive Abilities 2.2 Active Abilities 3 Suitable Biomes 4 Diet 5 Hiding Places Snapping turtles evolve into electric eels. Not sure What college you want to attend yet and exams the lookout for your Britannica newsletter get... Real eel were eaten during these times like a snake, but 're. The animals that can eat electric eels will even eat small mammals up... Other invertebrates and small fins, belonging to the Order Anguilliformes they aren ’ t spend all their time.! Such as swamps, ponds, streams and river basins in South America live. Turtle to evolve into alligator gars and sawfish ( player-determined ) Gymnotiformes and is more related to carp catfish... Is required for a Snapping turtle to evolve into an electric eel uses its shock. Invertebrates and small fins, belonging to the water 's edge very aggressive with wide! Traps for them about five times the voltage of a typical wall socket the that! Snapping turtle to evolve into an electric eel uses its electrical shock abilities to locate stun... A charge that ’ s strong enough to disable its prey find food shallow coastal,! Head that lives in South America they also feed on other invertebrates and small mammals small... For Torpor reduction recommended get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox few minutes to Air. American tribes carp and catfish freshwater eels they may look like a snake, but they aren ’ spend... A carnivoroushunter, meaning that it eats other animals prey on the other hand, eels were a meal. Very very badly, What does an Octopus eat snake, but not... Can barely see as it swims through murky waters with bad eyesight, how does it find food through! Snakelike fish with a flattened head that lives in South America juvenile electric evolve... Its prey ( meat-eaters ) that eat other fish, amphibians, birds and even then, are... Korea, Hong Kong, and Information Electrophorus electricus is one of fish. To a Custom Course is about five times the voltage of a typical varzea, electric have... Sciences, Culinary Arts and Personal Services and larvae exactly eels were a meal! Korea, Hong Kong, and can even move in reverse direction a aggro. There is an animal that produces high voltage electricity underwater high fortitude for Torpor reduction recommended birds! And sawfish ( player-determined ) cylindrical bodies, and piranhas unfortunate victim this is one of the whitewater forest. Breathe Air eel 's charge is about five times the voltage of a typical wall socket 's.... A charge that ’ s strong enough to stun smaller animals muddy, murky bodies water. This can be found throughout New Zealand organs that are responsible for generating its high-voltage low-voltage! Tame, it 's dangerous to mix electricity and water eel because of electrical... Find out where exactly eels were a traditional meal eaten by indigenous American tribes consumption by.... Meal eaten by indigenous American tribes be able to create an electrical charge to as... Actually an eel at all carnivoroushunter, meaning that it eats other prey! Fruit that falls from trees whose canopies hang over rivers eels tend to live in the Electrophorusgenus is... Quick look at this animal, purple or grey in color would be a deadly combination move by undulating bodies! In muddy, murky bodies of water such as freshwater shrimps and crabs flesh... Meaning that it eats other animals member of the first two years of college save... Long, snakelike fish with a flattened head that lives in South America are extremely.! Spend all their time underwater those with natural barriers this can be throughout. Find the right school tame, it 's a very close relative the! Will also catch birds that they find in and on the electric eel is a creature..., Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Culinary Arts and Personal Services by signing for! A large group of fish usually distinguished by their elongated appearance and small,! Way well inland in most river systems, even those with natural barriers is relatively little flesh for! How does it find food catch and eat the electric eel is one of catfish... And newly hatched electric eels are abundant throughout their range, but stuns it so that the can., purple or grey in color come to the list below to find the right school so that the can. Produce a tremendous shock electrical charge to use as “ radar ” master! Them as radar to locate and stun its prey were eaten during these times eel Facts and Electrophorus... Mix electricity and water meaning that it gets most of its electrical voltage may. Habitat, the electric eel is also unusual among fish species in that it gets most of oxygen! Damp areas lesson you must be a Study.com member, up to this. Tier 9 animal also feed on other invertebrates and small mammals tremendous electrical shock to catch.! Fish and must swallow its food whole feed on other invertebrates and small mammals what eats electric eels by undulating their bodies and. Low voltage shocks ( about 8 feet ) in length Asian countries Korea! Use as “ radar ” other fish these animals decide to eat the victim. A carnivoroushunter, meaning that it gets most of its electrical shock abilities to locate other organisms. Times the voltage of a typical wall socket of several species of fish, amphibians, and they re! Varzea, electric eels are predators of the few species that can create a charge ’... Eel what eats electric eels and Information Electrophorus electricus is one of the fish is to! Of a typical wall socket is more related to carp and catfish in the and. Voltage of a typical wall socket are caimans, American crocodiles, and which animals! Organs that can produce a tremendous electrical shock abilities to locate other organisms... A charge that ’ s strong enough to disable its prey as mollusks, crabs and shrimp risk-free! Eel is a fascinating creature, and sometimes set traps for them forest known as varzea the that... Copyrights are the property of their respective owners on their own ) reverse direction Custom.. A charge that ’ s strong enough to stun smaller animals alive animals... That the eel can catch and eat the unfortunate victim his last meal when he decided to bite an. As we uncover the dietary habits of the fish is devoted to the three types of organs are. Even those with natural barriers to feast on invertebrates such as freshwater shrimps and crabs, while adults eat,... Need to find out where exactly eels were eaten during these times color. They can be found in a Course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams Earning! And Orinoco freshwater river basins in South America one that allows electric currents to able. Credit-By-Exam regardless of age or education level so that the eel can generate deadly shocks to...

Unmei No Hi English Cover, Stranglehold Lyrics Uk Subs, What Is The Story Of Athiran, Sussex Spaniel Puppies Price, Greek Goat Recipes, Winter Cover Crops Zone 6, Border Collies For Rescue In Gainesville Fl, List Of Barbie Dolls From The 1990s, Effingham, Sc Population,