Scientists have discovered that all animals and humans actually produce minute electrical charges in their muscles. There are a few varieties of fish that have their own working batteries of stored electricity working as specially developed muscles, which they use in their daily lives. These specialized fish produce “electric fields” as adaptations for survival.

In the Amazon River there is a species of electric eel that actually can give the kind of electric shock that a person might receive from coming in physical contact with a live electrical wire. This fish is about 6-7 feet in length. It has three such stored areas of electricity (like “batteries”) in its body, that together amount to half the weight of this eel.

If you swim too close to this eel you would most certainly receive an electrical shock. When it is not stunning its prey of fish and small frogs, the electric eel uses tiny doses of electricity like humans might use a G.P.S. to find its way around.

The Amazon Electric Eel

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Electric Eel Lights Up a Christmas tree:

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The species of electric rays also can give electrical shocks as a defensive mechanism. Since rays are flat fish they can generate small portions of electricity living along the seabed areas of the ocean. They have the ability to stun other fishes when they hunt and temporarily cause their prey to be unable to swim away. Their powerful electrical charges at the bottom of their front fins can power about 200 volts of direct bolts. While their “battery” charges are smaller than the electric eel, it is all they need in their habitat and serves them well.

An Electric Ray

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Pacific Electric Ray

Dogfish and sharks are sensitive to the electric fields of other fish, although they generate very small amounts of electricity themselves. Their sensitivity to these electric fields serves as a warning alarm giving them advanced notice to swim away if danger approaches.

Mother nature also gave the shark tiny pits on their heads that are very responsive to small electrical currents. This shark sensitivity helps them detect prey and may even be a tool that allows them to use the earth’s magnetic field like a compass.

Sharks have an electro-sensory perception

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Leopard sharks (harmless to people) in La Jolla, Ca.

Dogfish not only use the sense of smell for hunting but they also use an electric sense when confined to smaller areas. The dogfish can detect the very small electrical currents of its prey, the flounder using this method of hunting.

The Lesser Spotted Dogfish or Nursehound

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Dogfish caught

In the African freshwater lakes, the Mormyrid fish uses a kind of radar screen to locate its food of insects and worms buried in the mud. Since the Mormyrid fish lives in murky waters its radar sense detection allows it to adapt and thrive in its environment.

Mormyrid fish

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Electro-sensory capabilities or the ability to perceive electronic impulses has served these creatures well for a very long time. This special adaptation of using an electric field to hunt prey, monitor potential threats and give directions is not only an amazing gift but also necessary for survival.