Page 80 - Biomimetics: Technology Imitates Nature

You can use electrical signals to locate an object or for
communications, but need to have accumulated scientif-
ic technology to do so. Even today, very
few countries have reached that level.
Yet some electric eels possess organic
radar around their bodies that give off elec-
trical signals that bounce back from its surroundings,
letting the animal obtain information about the size,
speed and motion of the objects around it.
The eel can also obtain information
about the gender and maturity of an-
other electric eel, and then invite it to
mate or frighten it off. (W. M. Westby,
"Les poissons électriques se parlent par décharges,"
Science et Vie, no. 798, Mar. 1984) Considering the com-
plicated nature of our radar and
communications systems, we can
better understand the marvelous
creation within the eel’s body.