In an unlikely turn of events, this week’s award for Most Christmas Spirit goes to Miguel Wattson, an electric eel at the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga. The unexpected Christmas enthusiast has as pretty cool party trick: lighting the aquarium’s Christmas tree.
So how does this underwater creature get a decorated tree to pulse with light? A lot of science and a bit of nature. According to Thom Benson, a director at the aquarium, the aquarium's A/V team created a special system that uses censors to detect the electricity Miguel emits. When Miguel discharges his electricity, the tree flickers with the low levels of electricity. When he gets really excited, especially around feeding time, the tree really lights up. The lights on the tree are able to mimic the intensity and duration of his electric discharges.
The Christmas tree lighting isn’t Miguel’s first foray into using his power in fun, unexpected ways. Miguel has a Twitter account where he regularly shares electrified thoughts such as “ZAP!!!!!” and “BA-BOOOM!” And yes, the tweets do in fact come from Miguel. Well, technically the catch-phrases and groan-worthy puns come from a team at the aquarium that keeps an updated database of messages, but Miguel sends them out to the Twitterverse through a system that detects a spike of electric activity in his tank.
Miguel’s tricks are fun and exciting to aquarium visitors, but Benson sees them as something bigger. To him, these projects are a great way to educate people about specific animals and the larger ways in which all of our water sources are connected.“The aquarium was designed to get people to understand the importance of fresh water in our lives," he says. "Water connects all life.”
