Eels can indeed breathe air. Unlike fish that rely solely on gills for respiration, eels are obligate air-breathers, meaning they have adapted to breathe air in addition to extracting oxygen from water. This unique adaptation allows them to survive in warm, oxygen-depleted waters where other fish would struggle.
To facilitate air breathing, eels have developed specialized structures in their mouths. These structures are heavily vascularized with numerous folds that increase the surface area available for gas exchange. This adaptation allows them to extract oxygen from the air more efficiently.
When an eel surfaces, it opens its mouth and gulps air into the specialized chambers. The oxygen from the air is then transferred across the highly vascularized walls of these chambers and into the eel’s bloodstream. This process is similar to how our lungs extract oxygen from the air we breathe.
The ability of eels to breathe air is particularly advantageous in warm, anoxic waters where oxygen levels in the water are low. In such conditions, relying solely on gills for respiration would be insufficient. By breathing air, eels can supplement their oxygen needs and survive in environments that would be inhospitable to many other fish species.
It is fascinating to observe how eels have evolved this unique adaptation. I had the opportunity to witness this firsthand during a visit to a tropical mangrove forest. As I walked along the muddy banks, I noticed small disturbances in the water surface, indicating the presence of eels. I patiently waited and soon enough, I saw an eel gracefully emerge from the water, its mouth wide open as it took in air. It was a surreal sight to witness an aquatic creature breathing just like us humans.
Eels are remarkable creatures that have adapted to breathe air in addition to using their gills. Their mouths are specialized with vascularized folds that increase the surface area for efficient gas exchange. This adaptation allows them to survive in warm, oxygen-depleted waters by supplementing their oxygen needs with air. Truly, nature never ceases to amaze with its diverse and ingenious solutions to survival challenges.