Electric Eel

The electric eel belongs to the family Gymnotidae. Although they are referred to as electric eels, they are not closely related to true eels. They are considered knifefish which are more closely related to a catfish. The Electric eel has an elongated cylindrical body that can grow to lengths a little over 6ft and weigh up to 44lbs. (This makes them the largest species of knifefish)! Interestingly enough, this species was known to be a monotypic genus (genus with only 1 species), that was until recently (2019 to be exact) when 2 new species were discovered. A man by the name C. David de Santana was who discovered these species and has strong evidence that they too belong in this genus.

You’re probably wondering how they produce electricity️? The Electric eel has 3 specific organs that can produce voltage made of electrocytes. When they are ready for those electrocytes to produce electricity, their body will allow sodium to flow and reverse the polarity momentarily. That sudden change causes an electrical current to happen, like a battery.

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