The Electric Eel (Electrophorus electricus)

The electric eel is a snake like fish which is found mostly in the Amazon Basin in South America. It lives in marshy areas, especially in places where the dissolved oxygen in water is low. It lives by feeding on other fish. Electric eels are oviparous, and both parents look after and protect the young. As in other electric fish, low-amplitude electric discharges help them in communicating, although this is an area which still requires research.

The electric eel is a carnivore that preys on other animals by electrocuting them. The electric shock either kills its prey or renders  it unconscious. The eel proceeds to feed on its prey after that. Electric eels have the capability to fatally electrocute a horse. The vital organs in the electric eel are located immediately behind the head. The remaining 7/8 of its body is the tail which is the electricity generating organ. This organ is composed of 5000-6000 elements, arranged like a dry battery. The head acts as the positive pole of the battery while the tail acts as the negative pole. When the eel is at rest there is no generation of electricity, but when it starts to move it emits electrical impulses at the rate of about 25pulses/sec. During intense feeding discharges of up to 50pulses/sec have been recorded. These discharges aid in locating food and navigation, as well as the killing of prey. Small animals within range are killed outright, while large mammals may become unconscious. A human can withstand one discharge, but would not survive several.