'Shocking behaviour': Video highlights how electric eels attack

A shocking video has come to light, displaying how electric eels attack.

In the footage the fish can be seen jumping up to strike a fake alligator head, which is fitted with lights.

When the eel makes contact with the "imitation predator" the structure becomes illuminated by its touch.

The footage is accompanying a scientific paper, by biologist and neuroscientist, Kenneth C. Catania, published by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, showing how the electric fish leaps out of the water "to directly electrify threats".

According to the paper the head contains LEDs which become "powered by the electric eel’s discharge".

Mr Catania states: "This shocking behavior likely allows electric eels to defend themselves during the Amazonian dry season, when they may be found in small pools and in danger of predation."

The paper states the behaviour backs up an old story dating back to 1800, where electric eels were seen by Alexander von Humboldt attacking horses that were in a muddy pool.

"The behavior consists of an approach and leap out of the water during which the eel presses its chin against a threatening conductor while discharging high-voltage volleys," Mr Catania said.

"This behavior was both literally and figuratively shocking."

Mr Catania claims Alexander von Humboldt published an account of an experimental confrontation between electric eels and horses in 1807.

"About 30 horses and mules were herded into a pool containing eels, which (according to Humboldt) emerged from the mud, swam to the surface, and attacked by pressing themselves against the horses while discharging."

While the story has reportedly been recounted, many doubted its accuracy and Mr Catania says in the publication that "no similar behavior has been reported since Humboldt’s publication."

Mr Catania says because the eels often cannot retreat it is most likely that they defend themselves by using an aggressive attacking method, but he says many questions remain about the 'shocking' behaviour.