shocked to death

January 26, 2021 6:02 AM

Electric eels hunting in a group..."Then groups of up to 10 eels periodically split off to form cooperative hunting parties, not unlike packs of wolves or pods of killer whales. Those smaller groups then surrounded the prey ball and launched simultaneous electric attacks, stunning the tetras into submission." [paper]
posted by dhruva (6 comments total)

One of the things that really sticks with me from one of the David Attenboroughs was seeing all the sharks, and manta rays, and other large ocean predators all schooling together. We think of sharks as solitary, but when they reach critical mass they all hang out together! Seeing so many hammerhead sharks at once was both joyous and terrifying to me.

I think a whole lot of fish actually do co-operate and we dont pay any attention.
posted by stillnocturnal at 6:12 AM on January 26, 2021 [1 favorite]

Also, they always grow louder when they're about to feed on human flesh.
posted by The Bellman at 7:49 AM on January 26, 2021 [3 favorites]

..... shudder .....
posted by zenzenobia at 2:42 PM on January 26, 2021

I watched one of those "deadliest fish" style programs and resolved to never ever go swimming in New Zealand. Those eels are terrifying!

So fascinating about electric eels hunting in packs!
posted by freethefeet at 2:49 PM on January 26, 2021

Just last year, he tripled the number of known species of electric eels... Whaaaaat?!??!! ....which had stood at one for roughly 250 years. Oh, hahahaha... Still super impressive, and it is now of Utmost Importance that I learn more about how eels generate electricity.
posted by lemonade at 6:38 PM on January 26, 2021 [1 favorite]

Electric eels vs punching octopuses! In these corners —
posted by clew at 6:36 PM on January 27, 2021