The Infinite Monkey Cage What’s the deal with eels? – Lucy Porter, David Righton and Caroline Durif
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Nov 26, 2025 
Join fish ecologist David Righton, migration expert Caroline Durif, and comedian Lucy Porter as they dive into the mysterious world of eels. Discover how these slippery creatures navigate vast distances and elude observation during their spawning rituals in the Sargasso Sea. Learn about their unique anatomy, life cycle, and the challenges of conservation. Plus, hear hilarious anecdotes about eels in cuisine, including the questionable appeal of jellied eels—an exploration of the slimy and the scrumptious!
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Eels Are A Distinct, Ancient Fish Group
- Anguillid eels are a distinct group called freshwater eels with about 20 species and unique life histories.
- They diverged 50–70 million years ago while their common ancestor with humans dates back ~500 million years.
Larvae Look Nothing Like Adult Eels
- Eel larvae (leptocephalus) look nothing like adult eels and drift in ocean currents for years.
- This dramatic metamorphosis delayed scientists linking larvae to adult eels for centuries.
Historic Aquarium Discovery Linked Larvae To Eels
- Caroline describes the 1800s aquarium discovery that leptocephalus metamorphosed into glass eels.
- Aristotle had thought eels arose spontaneously because adults lacked visible gonads.
