It’s okay to be confused; scientists have been for many years. The electric eel was first described by Linnaeus in 1766 and since then, has been reclassified several times. At present, the electric eel is the only species in its genus. It is only found in muddy, shallow waters surrounding the Amazon and Orinoco rivers in South America.
Electric Eels Breathe Air
Electric eels have cylindrical bodies, up to 2 meters (about 8 feet) in length. An adult may weigh 20 kilograms (44 pounds), with males being much smaller than females. They come in a range of colors, including purple, gray, blue, black, or white. The fish lack scales and have poor eyesight but have enhanced hearing. The inner ear is connected to the swim bladder by small bones derived from vertebrae that increase hearing capacity.
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