How Do Electric Eels Make Electricity?

What is commonly known as the electric eel is actually not an eel but a freshwater species related to the carp or catfish family. According the National Geographic Society, the eel uses a low level of electric discharge to locate prey. Electric eels are air breathers and surface frequently in their native range of northern South America. They are commonly found in the lakes and rivers of that region.

  1. Making Electricity

    • According to the National Geographic Society, the electric eel has a specialized organ that generates electricity. This electricity is stored in cells known as electrocytes. The eel has approximately 6,000 of these cells that serve as batteries to store the electricity until it is needed.

    Daily Uses of the Electricity

    • Electric eels live in muddy and murky water and have poor eyesight. According to the Baltimore Aquarium, the eels use a low-voltage charge to sense their surroundings and navigate through the water. The National Geographic Society likens this sensing system to a radar system.

    Specialized Uses of the Electricity

    • Electric eels can step up the discharge to about 600 volts when necessary. This is equivalent to five times the electricity discharged by a single wall outlet in a home. The electric eel uses this charge to stun prey for consumption or to discourage predators from attacking.

    Danger to Man

    • According to the National Geographic Society, human deaths from electrocution by an electric eel occur occasionally but are not common even in the animal̵7;s normal range of northern South America. It is believed multiple shocks can cause cardiac arrest. The electric shock can also cause stun a person enough to increase the possibility of drowning, even in shallow water.

    Electric Eel Facts

    • Electric eels can grow to 8 feet long and weigh as much as 45 lbs. The eel has a long body with a flat head with a color commonly ranging between green or gray with a yellow underbelly. The eels have gills but acquire much of the oxygen needed for survival by coming to the surface and gulping air. Manufacturing electricity to find and stun its prey, electric eels feed on small fish and amphibians, as well as small mammals and birds that venture into their waters.