FAMILY ANGUILLIDAE 



193 



never exceed 18 inches, remain near the river mouth. On reaching 

 maturity they return to the sea to spawn and die. They are omnivorous 

 and voracious feeders. They feed mostly at night, on both dead and 

 Hve animal food. During the day eels usually hide under stones or bury 

 themselves in the mud. At night they become very active. They travel 

 readily over short stretches of land and have been reported as making 

 forays into swamps and wet meadows to catch frogs and other small 

 animals. Eels kept in aquaria at the University of Minnesota climb from 





American eel, Anguilla hcstoniensis. 



tank to tank with ease and have remained out of water over 24 hours 

 without apparent harm. 



Eels bite readily on baited hooks, particularly at night. The flesh of 

 the eel is excellent and in some places is considered a dehcacy. Most of 

 the eels sold commercially in the United States are caught in the East. 

 In former years their skins had considerable value. They were used for 

 many things, including the manufacture of fine buggy whips and book 

 bindings. 



