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How can electric eels force hidden prey to reveal its location?
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eel
The American eel (Anguilla rostrata) is found in habitats along the coast of eastern North America.
Electric eels can force hidden prey to reveal its location by using electrical discharges to induce a twitching response in the prey. By emitting these signals, the eel causes the hidden animal to involuntarily move, thereby exposing its position.1
This tactic is part of the electric eel's sophisticated hunting repertoire, which also includes stunning prey with high-voltage shocks to prevent escape or protect the eel's mouth from injury while feeding. In addition to these hunting strategies, electric eels utilize lower-voltage pulses from their Sach’s organ to navigate murky waters and communicate with other members of their species.21