Electric eels were long thought to be solitary hunters. But researchers have discovered groups of over 100 eels working together to herd and stun fish—the first known example of group hunting in electric fish.
The Discovery
In a remote Amazon lake, scientists observed eels coordinating their attacks. They would circle schools of fish, driving them into tight balls, then take turns delivering powerful synchronized shocks that stunned dozens of prey at once.
Electrical Cooperation
Individual electric eels can generate up to 860 volts. When multiple eels discharge simultaneously, the combined shock is devastating to fish but carefully timed to avoid harming each other. This suggests sophisticated communication and coordination.
The finding overturns assumptions about eel behavior and demonstrates that electrical communication may be more complex and socially important than scientists realized.
This article was generated by AI to provide informational content.