2007-02-07 00:20:03 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
I imagine they would have had a name given by the people native to the area they inhabit, and that by the time they were named in English, electricity had already been discovered. Very interesting question though, I will keep an eye on your answers and see if an expert comes back to you. Good stuff.
Just one little thing, since this question is in 'Words & Wordplay' please allow me to be pernickity and correct your 'words'. It should read:
"What were electric eels called before electricity was discovered?" - sorry, I'm a stickler, so couldn't resist!!
2007-02-07 00:33:14 · answer #1 · answered by peggy*moo 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Naked Back Knifefish
Gotcha but good question
The naked-back knifefishes are a family (Gymnotidae) of knifefishes that do not have a dorsal fin. They are found only in fresh waters of Central America and South America. All have organs adapted to the exploitation of bioelectricity.
The family has at least 33 species in two genera. The sole member of Electrophorus is the electric eel, which produces both strong (up to 600 V) and weak (<1 V) electric discharges, for use in predation and communication/navigation, respectively. The electric eel is the largest of the gymnotifomm fishes, growing up to more than 2 m (7 feet) in length.
Gymnotus is the among the most species-rich group of knifefishes found in the Amazon. Some Gymnotus species live in the leaf litter and root tangles of river banks. Other species are specialized to live on floodplains within the rootmats of floating meadows. Several species are broadl adapted to live in both of these habitats. Gymnotus are nocturnal predators feeding on insects, crustaceans, and other fish. They generate weak electric fields used in locating objects, and also for communication in which the males court females using stereotyped electrical "songs".
2007-02-07 00:55:37 · answer #2 · answered by Basement Bob 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Electricity wasn't invented it was discovered. As for the eels, I don't know, sorry. Despite its name it is not an eel at all but rather a knifefish.
2016-05-24 02:40:53 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just plain, ordinary eels
2007-02-07 01:04:46 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I calls them "great wobbly gobblies"... They live in the Amazon rain forest waters, and also in some place in Africa, so you should probably have knowledge of the languages of the people who live there? Good Luck
2007-02-07 00:27:42 · answer #5 · answered by OilCityBug 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Just eels. No designation, just what they are.
2007-02-07 00:27:47 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I really don't know but this is an excellent question!
2007-02-07 00:28:17 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
zappers
2007-02-07 00:28:15 · answer #8 · answered by booge 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Lightning eels! lol I dunno good question though
2007-02-07 00:24:36 · answer #9 · answered by Sir Sidney Snot 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋