Electric Eels
With one species capable of generating electric shocks of up to 860 volts, electric eels are the powerhouses of the Amazon. They use electricity — in strong bursts or low, steady voltage — to hunt, navigate, communicate and defend themselves in the murky waters of the Amazon.
Wired for Change: Adapted to Thrive in Changing Waters
Electric eels thrive in an ecosystem that fluctuates between flood and drought, adapting to both the high water of the rainy season and the isolated pools left behind during the dry season. These waters, often deprived of oxygen, don’t pose a problem for the electric eel, which surfaces for air using its specially adapted mouth.
There are three species of electric eels, all with sleek, snakelike bodies and thick, dark grey skin that helps them blend into their surroundings. The electric eel species at Shedd (Electrophorus varii) can grow to be about 6 feet long. Despite their slender appearance, electric eels belong to the knifefish family and are more closely related to catfish and carp than to other eel species.
Harnessing the Power of Electricity
How does an electric eel produce and use electricity? Three remarkable organs comprise almost 80% of their bodies — the main electrical organ, Hunter's organ and Sachs' organ — help them to generate electricity. At the strongest, the species of electric eels at Shedd can emit electric pulses just under 600 volts.
From fish and crustaceans to amphibians and even small mammals, their diet is as versatile as their shocking hunting strategy. Not only can electric eels produce electricity, but they also sense electricity from animal movements in the water. When hunting, an electric eel will emit a quick, double electric pulse that causes potential prey to twitch, revealing their position. In an instant, the eel will release a barrage of high-voltage pulses, paralyzing its prey and swallowing it whole.
Electric eels also use low-voltage pulses to communicate with one another or explore their environment through a process called electrolocation.
Safeguarding Electric Eels and Their Habitats
Though electric eels are plentiful in their vast and varied South American range, the steady destruction of their habitat through deforestation and pollution threatens the intricate balance of the ecosystems they depend on.
At Shedd, come eye to eye with electric eels and learn more about their astounding adaptations through hands-on interactives and programs. These connections are meant to spark curiosity, compassion and conservation for electric eels, the Amazon River and every creature that lives there.