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Habitat use patterns of 3 species of temperate eels, Anguilla anguilla, A. japonica and A. rostrata, were investigated using otolith strontium: calcium ratio life history transects. Published and unpublished data from 6 sites (Canada, United States, Sweden, France, Taiwan and Japan) sampled across the geographical range of each eel species were compiled. Sr: Ca patterns indicated that the 3 species displayed similar patterns of habitat use. In all sites, patterns of habitat use consisted of either residency in one habitat (fresh, brackish, or marine) or movements between habitats. One movement pattern consisted of either a single change or 2 changes of habitat from fresh to brackish waters, or from brackish water to freshwater. Seasonal movements between fresh and brackish waters were observed for all 3 species. When only a single habitat switch event was detected, it occurred between 3 and 5 yr of age …