SchoolTube Community
have you ever wondered about the mysterious life of eels? join us as we follow the journey of eli the eel, a fascinating creature that migrates from lake malawi to the sargasso sea. let's dive into the world of eels and discover their unique abilities and behaviors.
the unique world of eels
eels are long, slithery creatures that resemble underwater snakes. but did you know that they have a strange beauty of their own? their sinuous, nocturnal movements through the water are mesmerizing to watch. and unlike most migratory fish, such as salmon, eels of the genus anguilla migrate in the opposite direction, spawning and breeding in oceans and seas, while spending most of their intervening time in fresh water.
eli's life journey
eli the eel begins her life in the middle of the north atlantic ocean, about a thousand miles east of bermuda. this area, called the sargasso sea, forms the western part of a subtropical gyre, a giant whirlpool in the middle of the ocean. eli starts as one of ten to twenty million tiny eggs, carried by a female eel, hatching into a transparent leaf-shaped thing that looks nothing like an adult eel.
as eli drifts in ocean currents, predominantly the gulf stream towards either europe or north america, depending on its particular species, she transforms into a glass eel. upon reaching the coast, eli is about two inches long, looking more eely but still transparent. but within a couple of days in fresh water, eli's skin becomes pigmented a brownish-black, now looking more like that of an adult eel.
eli's migration to lake malawi
eli's migration to lake malawi is a fascinating journey. she travels through rivers and streams, eventually reaching the lake. here, she spends most of her life, growing and maturing in the fresh water environment. but when it's time to spawn, eli embarks on a perilous journey back to the sargasso sea, where she was born.
the mysterious gender of eels
you might notice that we haven't mentioned anything about eli's gender yet. that's because this is only determined once an eel enters fresh water, though nobody is sure exactly how. this adds to the mystery of eels and their unique life cycle.
conclusion
eli the eel's journey from lake malawi to the sargasso sea is a fascinating story of survival and adaptation. as we learn more about these mysterious creatures, we gain a deeper appreciation for the wonders of the natural world. so the next time you visit lake malawi, take a moment to appreciate the eels that call it home.
sources:
- freshwater vs sea turtles: key differences and similarities
- the fascinating world of salmon: a guide to its biology and ecology
- bird migration: the epic journey across europe
You may also like