How do electric eels make electricity?

I saw an electric eel in the Atlanta World of Reptiles about a year ago, and ever since I have been curious as to how they make their electricity.

This article will explain two different theories based on what scientists know about electric eel physiology.

What is an electric eel?

An Electric Eel is a type of fish that lives in South America.

It is one of the few kinds of fish that can create an electric charge strong enough to stun or kill animals as large as humans, which makes it especially dangerous. This article will tell how they can do this.

How do Electric Eels make electricity?

Electric eels generate electricity by using modified muscle cells called electrocytes. These special cells are stacked together in columns throughout the eel’s body, forming a network of over 6000 disks that can store electrical charges or emit electric discharges.

All this is controlled by a ‘pacemaker’ cell that acts as a heart for the eel’s system. When this pacemaker sends out signals along nerves, it causes the electrocytes to become charged with energy.

An eel has three sets of these organs: one near its head, another in its tail, and yet another in its midsection. Each set is capable of generating about four volts of power – enough to stun prey – but when all three are working simultaneously they produce up to 600 volts!

Types of species

There are currently 3 described species: Electrophorus electricus, Electrophorus voltai, and Electrophoius varii.

All species of Electric Eels are members of the family Electrophoridae.

Electric eels are catadromous fish that breed in freshwater but spend most of their lives in saltwater.

The electric eel is the only known species of fish that can produce an electrical discharge of more than six hundred volts.

Electric Eels are not actually eels, but rather knifefish – closely related to catfish and carp. They are quite large, reaching up to six feet long in some cases.

They typically feed on other fish and aquatic animals, such as crabs or turtles. Electric eels typically hunt at night. They use their electric organs to stun prey and also as a defense mechanism against predators.

Electric Eel Facts

• An electric eel can produce enough electricity to power a small light bulb for several hours An adult electric eel can grow to be three meters in length An electric eel can produce 400 volt-shocks, which is about five times more powerful than the most powerful cattle prod.
• An adult eel weighs about 20 pounds.
• Electric eels can breathe both in and out of the water by use of their gills when in water and a respiratory system when out of the water.
• Electric eels will typically spawn in fast-moving waters during the rainy season from May to June and can lay up to 2000 eggs at a time
• Electric eel stomachs and intestinal tracts have been found with numerous fish, crabs, and even snakes – showing that they hunt both on land and in the water.
• Adult Electric eels have no natural predators.
• The skin of an electric eel is normally dark gray or black and very smooth, but when it is electrically exciting, the skin becomes a silvery color and may give off a luminous appearance.

Conclusion

Electric Eels can generate strong electrical shocks by using modified muscle cells called electrocytes. These special cells are stored in columns throughout the eel’s body, forming a network of over 6,000 disks that can be charged or emit electric discharges.

All this is controlled by a pacemaker cell that acts as a heart for the eel’s system.

Electric Eels are not actually eels, but rather knifefish – closely related to catfish and carp. They are quite large, reaching up to six feet long in some cases.