Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution => Topic started by: thedoc on 10/10/2016 15:23:02

Title: Why don't electric eels electrify things in nearby water?
Post by: thedoc on 10/10/2016 15:23:02
Himanshu rajput urf sunny heartbeet asked the Naked Scientists:
   Dear sir mam.. !!
Here i was reading about an Electric Eel
So a question came on my mind that..
"when the eel release current then, why a person can't feel the electric charge.. On the same water away from the fish with a distance above 1000 km...??
as we know water is made up of molequles; which is a good conductor of electricity..
but the person away is unable to feel a single current..!!
WHY.??
What do you think?
Title: Re: Why don't electric eels electrify things in nearby water?
Post by: evan_au on 10/10/2016 21:49:14
Electric eels use electricity to sense the presence of their prey in the muddy waters where they live.
Electric impulses from the eel trigger the muscles of the fish and other creatures, so the eel can feel their movement, and locate them.

A bigger impulse can immobilize their prey.

There are cases of electric eels attacking land animals like horses and humans who venture into their watercourse.

See: If that doesn't work, try: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jGrulIlb2U