Fauna
Species

American Eel

Anguilla rostrata

Also known as Silver Eel, Glass Eel, Yellow Eel, Freshwater Eel

American eels undertake one of nature's most extraordinary journeys, hatching in the Sargasso Sea before riding ocean currents to transform into translucent glass eels along North American coasts. As adults, they spend decades hunting in freshwater rivers and estuaries before returning to the deep ocean to spawn once and die. Dams and river fragmentation present severe obstacles to these ancient nocturnal travelers during their upstream and downstream migrations.

MigratoryCatadromousNocturnal
American Eel reference1 / 7
USFWS / CC BY 2.0 · CC BY 2.0
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EndangeredConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXEndangeredRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyCrayfish, Aquatic Insects, Small Fish
Predators
  • Osprey
  • Striped Bass
  • Great Blue Heron
ThreatsHydroelectric dams, habitat loss, overfishing, and parasites
HabitatsRivers, streams, lakes, estuaries, and the Atlantic Ocean
Life span15–30 years
Classification
  1. FamilyAnguillidae
  2. SpeciesAnguilla rostrata
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Slippery skin and strong jaws allow cornered adults to bite; handle gently if accidentally caught.
What to notice
Recognized by a long serpentine body, continuous fin fold along the back and belly, and greenish-yellow to dark brown coloring.
Support conservation
Maintain distance, avoid disturbing upstream glass eel migrations, and minimize handling time if incidentally hooked.
Responsible observation
  • Nighttime Viewing: Scan shallow river margins and muddy bottoms with a red light after dusk when eels actively hunt.
  • Angling Etiquette: Use barbless hooks and wet hands to minimize damage if caught accidentally, and release immediately.
  • Observe Barriers: Look for specialized eel ladders near dams where migrating juveniles aggregate during spring upstream runs.
Related species
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