Julie Forester
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A piranha or piraña (/ p ɪ ˈ r ɑː n j ə ˌ-r æ n /, or / p ɪ ˈ r ɑː n ə /; Portuguese: [piˈɾɐ̃ɲɐ], Spanish:) is any of a number of freshwater fish species in the family Serrasalmidae, or the subfamily Serrasalminae within the tetra family, Characidae in order Characiformes.
May 17, 2024 · Piranha are carnivorous fish with sharp teeth that live in South American rivers and lakes. Learn about their diversity, behavior, diet, and the myths and facts of their ferocity.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
- Piranhas’ bad reputation is at least partially Teddy Roosevelt’s fault. When Theodore Roosevelt journeyed to South America in 1913, he encountered, among other exotic creatures, several different species of piranha.
- Piranhas have lived in South America for millions of years. Today, piranhas inhabit the freshwaters of South America from the Orinoco River Basin in Venezuela up to the Paraná River in Argentina.
- Piranhas found outside South America are usually pets on the lam. Piranhas attract a certain type of pet lover, and sometimes when the fish gets too large for its aquarium said pet lover decides its much better off in the local lake.
- Piranha teeth are pretty intense but replaceable. Piranhas are known for their razor-sharp teeth and relentless bite. (The word piranha literally translates to “tooth fish” in the Brazilian language Tupí.)
- Piranha attacks on humans are seldom fatal. Bites usually happen out of the water: Captured piranhas may chomp on fishermen who try to extricate them from hooks and nets.
- Schools of piranhas aren't trying to gang up on their victims. Research suggests traveling in schools is a defensive strategy against predators like cormorants, caimans, and river dolphins.
- Most piranhas are omnivores. Even well-known meat-eating species like the red-bellied and black piranhas can’t resist the occasional fruit, leaf, or fig.
- A few piranhas specialize in eating scales. The scales and fins of many fish are 34 to 85 percent protein, but what’s more important is the fact that they’ll often grow back.
Mar 30, 2015 · Learn about piranhas, the small fish with big teeth that live in South American rivers. Find out about their appearance, diet, behavior, reproduction, and more.
- 2 min
- The piranha is a relatively small fish with a round body, large head, and bulldog-like face.Piranhas can grow to between 8 and 15 inches (20-37 cm)...
- The idea that piranhas will attack humans is mostly myth. Attacks by piranhas on humans are rare, and most have been exaggerated.Native people will...
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Piranhas are freshwater fish with specialized teeth and strong bite force. They are native to South America and have various feeding habits, but are mostly omnivorous. Learn more about their behavior, reproduction, and why they are not as dangerous as they seem.
6 days ago · Learn about piranha, the freshwater fish with razor-sharp teeth and a fierce reputation. Find out how many species there are, where they live, what they eat, and how they evolve.
