Electrophorus varii facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Electrophorus varii |
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| Electrophorus varii found in Gifu World Fresh Water Aquarium. | |
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Electrophorus varii, also known as the Vari's Electric Eel, is a fascinating type of electric eel that lives in South America. It's one of three known species of electric eels, famous for their ability to create powerful electric shocks!
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Discovering the Vari's Electric Eel
For a long time, scientists thought there was only one type of electric eel. This was called Electrophorus electricus. However, in 2019, scientists did a special study. They looked closely at the eels' DNA and how much electricity they could make.
This study showed that the Vari's Electric Eel is actually a different species. They also found another new species, E. voltai. This means there are three distinct kinds of electric eels!
Scientists believe that the Vari's Electric Eel is the oldest of the three species. It branched off from the others a very long time ago, during a period called the late Miocene. This eel was named to honor an American fish scientist, Richard Peter Vari. He studied fish, a field called Ichthyology.
Where the Vari's Electric Eel Lives
The Vari's Electric Eel can be found across a large area in South America. It lives in the low-lying parts of the Amazon River Basin. You can also find it in some rivers within the Guiana Shield.
Unlike the other two electric eel species, which prefer higher, rocky areas, the Vari's Electric Eel likes different places. It lives in cloudy rivers where the water might not have much oxygen. These rivers often have sandy or muddy bottoms.
What the Vari's Electric Eel Looks Like
The Vari's Electric Eel looks very similar to E. electricus. However, there's one key difference. The Vari's Electric Eel does not have a clear band along its body. This band is usually seen on E. electricus.
This amazing creature can produce a strong electric shock. It creates the second-highest voltage among the three electric eel species. It can generate a powerful shock of about 572 volts! This shock helps it to hunt and protect itself.
See also
In Spanish: Electrophorus varii para niños
