Guess What We Learned…

[Of course, this is but one of the many, many things the jungle has taught us thus far.. but it´s a good one!]

Although Brazilians have long adored it, the açaí berry has recently become popular in the Hawaiian islands. It has made appearances in health food stores, smoothies, and at the bottom of bowls of granola. It is a little dark purple berry that is sweet, nutricious, and grows from the palm by the same name.

It just so happens that it´s not just humans who gobble up these tasty treats.  No, the electric eels of the black waters of the Amazon have had a proclivity for the açaí long before us land-lubbers. In fact, they´ve devised a special way to obtain these fruits that grow 20 m in the air.

This particular electric eel is capable of discharging  550 volts, enough to stun a grown man or kill a horse. Over time, it has learned that it can shock the submerged base of the palm and effectively harvest one of its favorite foods! Turns out, this creature is one of the primary distributors of açaí seeds! Jungle teamwork.

Whoa. That´s wild.

Up to 3m long the Electrophorus electricus can really pack a punch. And did you notice how it takes a breath?