There may have been eels with limbs millions of years ago, but I don’t think there are any now. That’s because one of eels’ most pronounced evolutionary changes is so-called elongation, i.e., whatever limbs they MIGHT have had millions of years ago gradually disappeared as their spines lengthened.
The evolutionary lengthening came about to enable the eel to slither more quickly through water much like a sidewinder uses its spine and scales to slither quickly in the sand.
If there were limbs on prehistoric eels, they disappeared over time because the drag effect of limbs conflicted with the aerodynamic properties of elongated eels. Evolved eels moved faster through water without limbs than with limbs and, in the wild, speed is a key defense against predators.
If a predator had a taste for eels, it was easier to catch eels that had limbs than eels that had smaller, dwindling, atrophying limbs or eels with no limbs. It’s possible the eel with arms talking with the snake is a prehistoric ancestor of our now limbless eels. They’re good baked in pies. Bon appétit!!
wjones about 4 years ago
The eel is a fish, The snake is a cold blooded ?
Lightpainter about 4 years ago
With those arms, it looks like he will evolve into the TRex.
Mountain Meg about 4 years ago
Yesterday, the eel said it was poisonous. Eels are only poisonous if you eat them.
Michael G. about 4 years ago
Divergent evolution?
cocavan11 about 4 years ago
There may have been eels with limbs millions of years ago, but I don’t think there are any now. That’s because one of eels’ most pronounced evolutionary changes is so-called elongation, i.e., whatever limbs they MIGHT have had millions of years ago gradually disappeared as their spines lengthened.
The evolutionary lengthening came about to enable the eel to slither more quickly through water much like a sidewinder uses its spine and scales to slither quickly in the sand.
If there were limbs on prehistoric eels, they disappeared over time because the drag effect of limbs conflicted with the aerodynamic properties of elongated eels. Evolved eels moved faster through water without limbs than with limbs and, in the wild, speed is a key defense against predators.
If a predator had a taste for eels, it was easier to catch eels that had limbs than eels that had smaller, dwindling, atrophying limbs or eels with no limbs. It’s possible the eel with arms talking with the snake is a prehistoric ancestor of our now limbless eels. They’re good baked in pies. Bon appétit!!
Zebrastripes about 4 years ago
Eel is included in delicacy dishes today…Christmas eve….
ChessPirate about 4 years ago
“Well, see ya pal, shake!”
“☠️⚒️#❌️@⚡$⭐️&⚔️✊❗”