Elvers are young eels, specifically the juvenile stage of the European eel (Anguilla anguilla) and the American eel (Anguilla rostrata). They are typically found in freshwater rivers and estuaries, where they migrate from the ocean after hatching. Elvers are small, transparent, and resemble tiny snakes, making them difficult to spot in their natural habitats. These young eels play a crucial role in aquatic ecosystems, serving as a food source for various predators. As they grow, elvers will undergo a transformation into yellow eels, eventually maturing into silver eels before migrating back to the ocean to spawn.