Electric eels can produce shocks of up to 600 volts!

Despite its name, the Electric eel is a South American electric knifefish, whose scientific name is Electrophorus electricus. Electric eels have long, cylindrical bodies and flattened heads and are generally dark green or grayish on top with yellowish coloring underneath.  They can reach up to 8 feet in length and 44 pounds in weight.

Electric eels live in the swamps and shallow streams of the Amazon and Orinoco basins. They have a unique ability to discharge high voltage electric shocks to stun predators and prey. Their bodies contain electric organs with about 6,000 electrocytes (cells) that can store power like batteries. When threatened or attacking prey, these cells discharge simultaneously and the other animal gets a shock.

Electric eels feed upon fish and amphibians. They are air breathers and must come to the water surface frequently. Human deaths from electric eels are extremely rare. They also have poor eyesight but can emit charge less than 10 volts, to use like a radar for navigation and locating prey.

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