Reindeer aren’t the only creatures working hard this holiday season. An electric eel has been recruited offer a source of natural power to light up a Christmas tree in Gifu, Japan. Located at the Acqua Toto Gifu aquarium, the eel sends power to the lights every time it touches a copper wire placed in its tank.

Electric eels have poor vision and therefore have the ability to generate electricity in their bodies to shock their prey. That’s a pretty revolutionary way to save on your electricity bill, but I’m not sure I’d recommend trying to power your house with one of these guys.

The aquarium display will run until Christmas Day or until the eel catches on and starts charging the same rates as the electricity company.

» Mainichi Daily News