Electric Eel Named Miguel Wattson Is Powering Christmas Lights At Tennessee Aquarium
Miguel Wattson, an electric eel, is making good use of its energy at the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga.
Miguel has an aquarium in the Rivers of the World Gallery at the Tennessee Aquarium and he is making good use of the energy he projects.
ICYMI, here's a video of yours truly attempting to use my discharges to power the lights on a Christmas tree. (SPOILER ALERT ::: Of course I pull it off. My phenomenal cosmic — well, bio-electric — power is basically limitless.) pic.twitter.com/g4r5JPHWoH
— Miguel Wattson TNAQ (@EelectricMiguel) December 2, 2019
The power electric charges that Miguel releases are powering Christmas lights that are attached to a Christmas tree outside his aquarium.
Pretty amazing right?
Not only that, but Miguel also has his own Twitter account, which currently has over 38,000 solid followers.
ba-BANG!!!!!!
— Miguel Wattson TNAQ (@EelectricMiguel) December 1, 2019
Joey Turnipseed, the audiovisual production specialist of the zoo’s aquariums, attached sensors to the tank of Miguel.
The sensors harness the natural electrical discharges of the eel and convert them into sound waves that can be heard through a set of speakers.
Joey explained what the eel does in a statement.
The statement says, “The speakers convert the discharge into the sound you hear and the festively flashing lights.”
Kimberly Hurt, an Aquarist, said the rapid dim blinking of the lights of the Christmas tree are caused by the constant low-voltage blips of electricity Miguel releases when he is trying to find food.
When the lights glow brighter, this happens as Miguel emits larger amounts of voltage shocks, which are mostly released when he is excited or when he is eating.
According to the Tennessee Aquarium, electric eels are capable of emitting 10 volts of electricity when they are searching for food or are going to a different place.
How is that possible?
Electric eels have 3 electrical organs that are made up of electrolytes, which generate electric cells.
Electric eels are capable of generating over 800 volts of electricity.