Eels

Eels can be nocturnal and solitary, so it’s hard to understand their lifestyles in the wild very well! They take shelter during the day in underwater holes or crevices, then come out to forage for prey. They have multiple rows of teeth in a hinged, double jaw that is well adapted for catching and swallowing prey. Females lay eggs in large batches, which are fertilized by males. Eggs hatch into larvae before becoming adults.

Eels are a top predator in the ocean. They eat small animals that in turn eat algae. Algae and other microscopic marine life make toxins that can really add up when enough of them make it into an eel’s body. Some people eat eels as food, but they can make other people feel sick! Their bite can be toxic, too. Be sure and give wildlife the space they need to thrive.