Electric Eels Use Built-In "Taser" to Remotely Stun Their Prey

National Geographic ^ | December 4, 2014 | Carrie Arnold

[TigerLikesRooster]

Electric Eels Use Built-In "Taser" to Remotely Stun Their Prey

It's the first evidence found in nature that an animal can remotely control another with electricity.

By Carrie Arnold

for National Geographic

Published December 4, 2014

Talk about a shock—electric eels use their built-in "taser" to stun prey from a distance, a new study reveals.

Strong, fast pulses delivered remotely by the fish Electrophorus electricus cause its victim's muscles to contract, essentially paralyzing it. Then, the electric eel can swim over and slurp up its prize in one easy gulp.

The discovery is the first time scientists have found that an animal can remotely control its prey with electricity. (See pictures of other fish that use electricity to sense their environments.)

[b4its2late]

Cool.

[IronJack]

Dare I say it?

Shocking discovery.

[Joe 6-pack]

Should be posted under, “current events” ;-)

[IronJack]

But unless it was direct, it could meet with some resistance.