The electric eel’s 900 volt jolt can stop a human heart.
It’s the equivalent shock of putting all of your fingers into an electric wall socket (at the same time).
Steve Townson goes deep in the Amazon on the hunt for electric eels.
Join him as he braves the murky waters for a close encounter with this legendary “river monster,” and see why one wrong move could turn the hunter into the hunted.
Warning: One poor soul tries to catch the eel bare-handed in the water (he goes down — doesn’t die though).
Good news: you are unlikely to run across electric eels unless you are swimming in the Amazon River or the Orinoco Basin (Venezuela and Columbia)
That’s another reason it’s so amazing that “The Big River Man” attempted to swim the entire Amazon River (while drinking 2 bottles of wine a day).
Thanks to Cory the Treasure Hunter of Oakland for telling me about the electric eel’s power.
Watch”Big & Deadly: Electric Eels”
You can watch this short documentary for free on YouTube by clicking the video embed above.
Ratings:
- My Rating: 90/100
- IMDB Rating: na
- Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: na
Release Date: January 15, 2016
My Review of “Big & Deadly: Electric Eels”
Imagine heading into Amazonian waters where one fish, with 6,000 specialized cells, can zap up to 900 volts—enough to stop your heart instantly.
That’s the electric eel, and this doc takes us on a daring journey to encounter these electrifying creatures with fishing guide Steve Townson.
Electric eels can grow to a whopping 8.2 feet and weigh up to 44 pounds. They’re not actual eels but belong to the knife fish family, closely related to carp and catfish.
Living in the oxygen-poor waters of swamps and creeks, these fish surface regularly to breathe air. Townson explains that electric eels rely on electrocytes—cells that make up about 80% of their body mass—to store energy like tiny batteries.
Fully charged, an eel can release up to 900 volts, either in one massive discharge or in smaller pulses, depending on the threat.
You Can’t Make This Sh*t Up: Fisherman Knocked Out Cold
One highlight shows just how real these dangers are. In a hair-raising scene, a local fisherman attempts to catch an eel by standing knee-deep in the water.
Without warning, he receives a massive shock and collapses into the river, nearly drowning. His friends quickly drag him to safety, a moment that’s as chilling as it is real.
Fortunately, the man survives unscathed, but it’s a stark reminder of the risk these eels pose.
Most locals know better and wear rubber-soled shoes in their boats, but this unfortunate guy learned his lesson the hard way.
A Long-Shot Catching Strategy
There are several ways to catch these powerful fish, each as unique as the eel itself.
Some Amazonian tribes use poisoned water to corral eels, while Jeremy Wade of “River Monsters” fame uses a lasso.
Townson, however, keeps it simple and surprisingly effective, opting for small circle hooks. Still, he warns his audience about the dangers of any method, given that one wrong move can mean a sudden, jolting encounter.
The fishermen in this documentary often add layers of caution—rubber boots, insulated nets, and, sometimes, even thick rubber gloves to avoid any chance of getting shocked.
One fisherman dryly mentions that any slip-up, even from an eel flopping in the boat, can mean a painful, disorienting jolt. For those who’ve felt it, they say it’s like “getting punched by lightning.”
Eel Anatomy: A Real Powerhouse
Electric eels are masters of movement. Instead of a large tail fin, they propel themselves with a long anal fin that runs almost the full length of their body.
By undulating this fin, they can move forward, reverse, ascend, and descend with ease—a vital skill in the dense, obstacle-filled waters of the Amazon.
And despite their size, these eels have tiny eyes. They rely less on sight and more on a sixth sense: their ability to sense electrical currents. This makes them not just powerhouses but agile hunters in dark, murky environments.
Wrap Up
The doc brings you face-to-face with a unique Amazon river predator and shows the fascinating, sometimes frightening adaptations that make it a force to be reckoned with.
Seeing locals and Townson navigate these waters with intense respect for their quarry is a humbling experience.
The powerful visuals and shocking incidents will make you think twice about any casual swim in Amazonian rivers. If you ever doubted the power of nature, one look at the electric eel will make you a believer.
Thanks for reading!
Rob Kelly, Chief Maniac, Daily Doc