What's the Deal With Garden Eels?

A living garden on the seafloor?

Animals
2 min
Ripley's Believe It or Not!
Ripley's Believe It or Not!
What's the Deal With Garden Eels?
All stories
Animals

Have you heard of the spotted garden eel? This fascinating species presents a case in not judging a book by its cover—or an eel by its name. 

Contrary to its name, you won’t find these little guys among your petunias and tulips. No, garden eels live on the ocean floor, where they live in burrows. They get their unique name from their behavior of poking their heads out from their burrows, and as they live in large colonies, it gives the impression that plants are sprouting from the ocean floor! 

A Crafty Cave-Builder

Garden eels are thinner and smaller than many of the eel species you’re likely familiar with, like the moray eel, but despite their slight size, they are strong and adept builders.

The garden eel uses its powerful tail to dig into the sea floor to create its burrow, and then reinforces it by binding the grains of sand with a slimy mucus. Whenever danger is nearby, the spotted garden eel will retreat to the safety of their burrows tail-first until the coast is clear.

garden eels

This has led to some creative evolutionary tactics from some of its predators, like the snake eel. The snake eel will build its burrow directly underneath the spotted garden eel and attack it tail-first. 

A Homebody on the Ocean Floor 

The spotted garden eel is listed as a species of ‘Least Concern’ by the IUCN, and is widely distributed throughout the Indo-Pacific.

Another interesting feature of this species is that it will rarely leave the original burrow that it has built. The exception is during spawning season, where males will move closer to potential mates. Males can become territorial during this time and may also become protective over their mate.

Regardless of its lean build, these creatures can be feisty when it comes to fending off other males! As pelagic spawners, spotted garden eels release fertilized eggs into the current, where they are carried until they float to the surface. Once these eggs have hatched, young garden eels will swim until mature enough to return to the floor and build their own burrow. 

garden eels

There are so many species that can capture our attention and captivate us, and the spotted garden eel is no exception. It is a living example of being more than meets the eye, and when cruising above the ocean floor, the sea plants they seem to be are actually a thriving ecosystem of eels once you take a closer look.

Dive Deeper Into Garden Eels

Swim on over to Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies and get up close with these incredible eels! Explore amazing exhibits and walk through the underwater tunnel for an unforgettable experience. Plan your visit today!

About The Author

Ripley's Believe It or Not!

Ripley's Believe It or Not!

Step into the world of Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, where truth is always stranger than fiction! Bui…

By this author

Ink-tellectual Creatures: The Giant Pacific Octopus

Ink-tellectual Creatures: The Giant Pacific Octopus

How Giant Sloths Helped Save the Avocado

How Giant Sloths Helped Save the Avocado

International Sawfish Day: Celebrating the Conservation of this Saw-some Species!

International Sawfish Day: Celebrating the Conservation of this Saw-some Species!

Read All Their Stories

Or Explore Our Categories

Have an Amazing Story?

At Ripley’s, we’re always in search of the unbelievable – maybe it’s you! Show us your talents. Tell us a strange story or a weird fact. Share your unbelievable art with us. Maybe even sell us something that could become a part of Ripley’s collection!

Have an Amazing Story?

Read More Ripley's

Get lost in a vortex of weird and wonderful stories! Ripley’s twenty-first edition annual book is full of all-new, all-true stories from around the world.

Dare to Discover book
Buy Now
Swirling Pinstripe backdrop
Ripley's Cartoon of the Day

December 3, 2024

Cartoon of the Day

Love is neurologically addictive.

Ripley's Cartoon of the Day

Robert Ripley began the Believe It or Not! cartoon in 1918. Today, Kieran Castaño is the eighth artist to continue the legacy of illustrating the world's longest-running syndicated cartoon!