Eels

We’re going to camp tomorrow and YES there will be eels hanging around at night time…. Let’s find out a bit more about them!

WALT:

• Locate information
• Synthesize information from range a of sources and prior knowledge

Prior knowledge:

What do you already know about eels?

• The Long Finned Eel are Endangered

• They Are Slimy
• They can Grow Up to Be 2 Meters Long

Read this article about the longfin eel and answer the following questions:

• What is the difference between the long and short fin eel?

The LongFin Eel is different because the dorsal Fin is longer further forward than the anal fin

• Why is it a threatened species?

from soils into waterways can result in large quantities of oxygen being removed from the water. The result of this oxygen depletion is that the eels will either die or move away. Toxins in the water such as minerals and hydrocarbons from mining tailings can also kill eels.

Watch the short clip on the website

• Describe the life cycle of the eel

They adults start By hanging around the streams and Then they go downstream, then they swim to Tonga and lay there eggs which float to the surface and hatch. As eel larvae which are see through and a leaf shape called Leptocephali, the Leptocephali then float back to New Zealand From the currents Just before they reach the rivers the transform into glass Eels. Then they swim up the river they then turn black turning them into Elvers,  they stay in the river to between 20 to 60 or 100 years before they go back out to sea and travel to Tonga, and lay there eggs which float to the surface and hatch but when the eggs hatch the adult eel dies and only the babies come back to New Zealand

• What does nocturnal mean?

Nocturnal Means that they Come out at night Not Day.

• What’s an elver?

An Elver is older then a glass eel  but is a miniature  then an adult but also being the same colour as an adult eel.

• What are some of the things that are threatening eels?

Toxin in the water minerals and hydrocarbons, Oxygen being removed from the water, water pollution

Finished? Create a ‘fact page’ about eels for your blog