The Mysterious Lifecycle of Eels That Science Still Does Not Know

Did you know that when eels decide its time to mate, their stomachs dissolve and their reproductive organs form for the first time in its place? These creatures are complex, which is why scientists are eager to understand their unique life cycles.

Researchers have tracked eels to the Sargasso Sea where they are likely spawning, but we are still missing pieces to the puzzle. There is footage showing adult European eels sticking close to the sea floor on their long journey across the ocean, so the eels could be mating and hatching at deeper depths, below 500 meters, which are difficult to study.

Understanding the how eels spawn is important because they are a popular food around the world. To keep up with the demand, an eel smuggling ring has formed on the black market, which is a detriment to the wild eel population.