Electric Eels & The Electric Fish

Posted By Zoe Delphy On May 17, 2008

electric eel

Did you know that fish like the electric eel and the electric ray can produce high voltage electric shocks as high as 700 volts.  Although these electric shocks can only be discharged in short bursts they are extremely effective as both an attack and defense mechanism. To put things into perspective the electricity levels involved with an eel could protect it from most large predators such as anacondas and crocodiles, and may even be enough to kill a human.

So how on earth do they create electricity from within their own bodies. The answer lies in the presence of specialised cells called electrocytes. On average an electric eel might have around 7000 of these cells and with each cell being able to produce 0.1 volts of electricity you can quickly see where all that voltage comes from.



8 Responses to “Electric Eels & The Electric Fish”

  1. rebecca

    These facts are very good and it helped us with alot of our homework. I am in a science quiz at school and these facts will help me alot.

    Your website is very helpful and it will help us alot with our science quiz.

    Thanks a million

  2. James

    Yeah really good facts , please don’t stop

  3. Eliyas

    YEs…please dont..
    good wishes..

  4. chris

    thats kinda cool

  5. natqw

    this isnt good facts i got a 1 on my report.

  6. nicholas and kaleb

    Thanks for the facts you are really good at this. This is awesome man keep up the good work.

  7. $i$mooooo

    ty so much ^_^…

  8. austin

    thx for thu info

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