The Piranha
Piranhas are fascinating and ferocious freshwater fish famous for their sharp, triangular teeth and robust jaws. They are usually silver, grey, or golden, with sleek bodies that can reach up to 2 feet in length. Native to South America's Amazon River, piranhas are omnivorous, which means they munch on plants, seeds, and of course, other fish! Don't be fooled by their size, they are strong swimmers and can be quite aggressive when needed.
| Piranha | |
|---|---|
| Size | 5 to 20 inches (12.7 to 50.8 cm) |
| Weight | Up to 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg) |
| Speed | 55mph (88.5km/h) |
| Key Strength | Sharp, triangular teeth and strong jaws |
| Biggest Weakness | Often scavengers, not aggressive predators |
| Scientific Name | Pygocentrus nattereri |
| Family | Characidae |
| Habitat | Freshwater rivers and lakes |
| Geography | South America |
| Diet | Fish, insects, seeds, fruits, and sometimes larger prey |
| Lifespan | 5 years - 15 years |
The Piranha
Piranhas are fascinating and ferocious freshwater fish famous for their sharp, triangular teeth and robust jaws. They are usually silver, grey, or golden, with sleek bodies that can reach up to 2 feet in length. Native to South America's Amazon River, piranhas are omnivorous, which means they munch on plants, seeds, and of course, other fish! Don't be fooled by their size, they are strong swimmers and can be quite aggressive when needed.
Fun Fact: Despite their fierce reputation, did you know piranhas bark? Yes, they do! When threatened or captured, they produce a drumming sound similar to a dog's bark.
| Piranha | |
|---|---|
| Size | 5 to 20 inches (12.7 to 50.8 cm) |
| Weight | Up to 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg) |
| Speed | 55mph (88.5km/h) |
| Key Strength | Sharp, triangular teeth and strong jaws |
| Biggest Weakness | Often scavengers, not aggressive predators |
| Scientific Name | Pygocentrus nattereri |
| Family | Characidae |
| Habitat | Freshwater rivers and lakes |
| Geography | South America |
| Diet | Fish, insects, seeds, fruits, and sometimes larger prey |
| Lifespan | 5 years - 15 years |
Fun Fact: Piranhas are quite chatty with their teeth! They use distinctive gnashing sounds as a way to communicate with each other.
Fun Fact: Piranhas have a six-sense too! They can sense blood in water from miles away, alerting them when potential meals are nearby.