An Elver is a young eel, which swims upriver from the sea to it’s long term home.

Elvers can climb as well as swim. Moving upstream often requires the ability to negotiate waterfalls, steep uphill rocks and even dams, and they have been observed climbing vertical surfaces up to 43 m tall.

Elvers also slither overland through wet grass to get to remote and inaccessible waterways. They can migrate over 130 km inland over one summer. NZ native Longfin eels have been found up to 361 km inland in freshwater streams and high country lakes.

So they’re small, black, slippery, and can get up rivers easily……….

Just like Elver boats.