The Electric Eel
The Electric Eel is a long and slithery creature that resides in the murky waters of the South American rivers. Not a true eel but a member of the knifefish family, they can grow up to 8 feet long and weigh up to 44 lbs. Standing out for their power to produce an electric shock, these creatures have specialized cells that act as tiny batteries to help them navigate, communicate, and hunt. Their dark-grey skin helps them camouflage in the muddy waters during the day and their single fin helps them swim gracefully.
| Electric Eel | |
|---|---|
| Size | Up to 8 feet (2.4 meters) |
| Weight | Up to 44 pounds (20 kilograms) |
| Speed | Speed: 0.6 mph (0.97 km/hr) |
| Key Strength | Electric shocks of up to 600 volts |
| Biggest Weakness | Vulnerable to physical attacks |
| Scientific Name | Electrophorus electricus |
| Family | Electrophoridae |
| Habitat | Freshwater |
| Geography | Amazon and Orinoco River basins in South America |
| Diet | Fish, amphibians, and small mammals |
| Lifespan | 15 years - 22 years |
The Electric Eel
The Electric Eel is a long and slithery creature that resides in the murky waters of the South American rivers. Not a true eel but a member of the knifefish family, they can grow up to 8 feet long and weigh up to 44 lbs. Standing out for their power to produce an electric shock, these creatures have specialized cells that act as tiny batteries to help them navigate, communicate, and hunt. Their dark-grey skin helps them camouflage in the muddy waters during the day and their single fin helps them swim gracefully.
Fun Fact: Electric Eels can produce an electric shock up to 600 volts, which is almost five times the power of a standard American wall socket!
| Electric Eel | |
|---|---|
| Size | Up to 8 feet (2.4 meters) |
| Weight | Up to 44 pounds (20 kilograms) |
| Speed | Speed: 0.6 mph (0.97 km/hr) |
| Key Strength | Electric shocks of up to 600 volts |
| Biggest Weakness | Vulnerable to physical attacks |
| Scientific Name | Electrophorus electricus |
| Family | Electrophoridae |
| Habitat | Freshwater |
| Geography | Amazon and Orinoco River basins in South America |
| Diet | Fish, amphibians, and small mammals |
| Lifespan | 15 years - 22 years |
Electric Eel Matchups
We use AI to simulate matchups between the Electric Eel and other animals. Our simulation considers size, strength, and natural predatory behaviors to determine the most likely outcome.
Fun Fact: Even though they are called eels, they are not related to marine eels but are actually knifefish.
Fun Fact: Despite their killer volts, natural predators such as caimans and anacondas are daring enough to feast on these electro-charged swimmers.