Main content

What’s the deal with eels? – Lucy Porter, David Righton and Caroline Durif

Brian Cox and Robin Ince dive into the slippery science of the elusive eel.

Fishing rods at the ready, Brian Cox and Robin Ince attempt to reel in a creature that has baffled scientists since Aristotle: the eel. Wriggling in to help them uncover the mysteries of one of nature’s slimiest subjects are marine scientists David Righton and Caroline Durif, and comedian Lucy Porter.

How do eels navigate such vast distances so deep under water? Why has no one ever seen them reproduce? And WHY would anyone eat them jellied with pie and mash?! The panel discovers that Spanish eels are always late and that eels from all different countries are thought to meet up somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean for a huge annual orgy.

Producer: Melanie Brown
Assistant Producer: Olivia Jani
Executive Producer: Alexandra Feachem
A BBC Studios Production

Available now

42 minutes

Featured

  • .

Broadcasts

  • Thu 27 Nov 202511:00
  • Sat 29 Nov 202519:15

Watch: UFO Special

Watch: UFO Special

Brian Cox and Robin Ince ask if UFOs and aliens have visited Earth.

10 reasons why aliens probably exist

10 reasons why aliens probably exist

Does alien life exist? Probably yes. But will we be making contact anytime soon?

Why we laugh: 9 things you didn’t know

Why we laugh: 9 things you didn’t know

What makes us laugh, why we do it, and how a good guffaw can help us feel healthier.

Download this programme

Download this programme

Subscribe to this programme or download individual episodes.

Podcast