How do electric eels defend themselves by leaping from the water?

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American eel (Anguilla rostrata) — eel The American eel (*Anguilla rostrata*) is found in habitats along the coast of eastern North America.

When an electric eel leaps from the water to defend itself, it does so to maximize the intensity of its electric shock. While a discharge delivered while fully submerged is dampened because the current is distributed throughout the surrounding water, leaping out of the water—or extending its head to press its chin against a partially submerged animal—prevents this dissipation.1

By making direct contact, the electric current enters the predator's body immediately before traveling through the submerged portions of the animal and returning to the eel's tail, thereby completing the electric circuit. This method ensures that the full force of the discharge is delivered directly to the threat, rather than being weakened by the watery medium.1