The amazing electrical capabilities of the electric eel

The electric eel (Electrophorus electricus) found within the Amazon river, is capable of producing an electrical charge of up to 600 volts nearly four times greater than the voltage of a UK plug socket; this electrical burst is used to paralyze prey before it is eaten by the eel.
A recent study by Kenneth Catania from Vanderbilt university discovered that the eel also uses varying levels of electrical pulses from high levels which prevent the prey's nervous system from operating paralyzing them, to lower level bursts used to locate prey by stimulating the prey's muscles to move giving away their position.
The experiments were performed in various large aquariums which were fitted with electricity sensors. High speed video systems were used so how the eel attacked its prey; they found that the eel used a series of high voltage bursts to stun the prey for up to 15 milliseconds before a strike occurred and that within 3 milliseconds the fish were paralyzed and unable to escape, only regaining mobility after a short period of time had passed if the eel had not eaten them.
The electricity burst immobilizes the whole body by causing whole body muscle contraction, activating motor neurons which contract (move) the fishes muscles.
It was also discovered that the eel uses a lower voltage of electric bursts to locate prey that may be hiding amongst rocks, emitting occasional millisecond bursts of two or three pulses which, cause muscle twitches within the prey giving away its position to the eel; the eel then uses its more powerful electrical burst to stun the prey and eat it.

Note: Doublet means two bursts of electricity.

Below is some great footage of the electric eel putting its hunting methods to use taken from the study.

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Personally I found this article very interesting, it again demonstrates the flexibility of nature to adapt to a variety of techniques for predators to subdue and consume prey, the fact that the electric eel has no means to chase down and retain prey species has allowed nature to develop a amazing method of using electrical pulses to stun and subdue prey, allowing the eel to consume it. Again something that we had to discover and learn to use was already being used within the natural world suggesting, that maybe we should turn to nature more often to provide us with the discoveries we need to continue to survive and thrive.

What do you think about the electric eel? Does it amaze you that this river dwelling creature has managed to harness the power of electricity? Let me know your comments in thought box below and as always thanks for reading :).