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A piranha or piraña ( / pɪˈrɑːnjəˌ - ræn /, or / pɪˈrɑːnə /; Portuguese: [piˈɾɐ̃ɲɐ], Spanish: [piˈɾaɲa]) is any of a number of freshwater fish species in the family Serrasalmidae, [1] or the subfamily Serrasalminae within the tetra family, Characidae [2] in order Characiformes.
May 17, 2024 · piranha, any of more than 60 species of razor-toothed carnivorous fish of South American rivers and lakes, with a somewhat exaggerated reputation for ferocity. In movies such as Piranha (1978), the piranha has been depicted as a ravenous indiscriminate killer.
- 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.)
Piranhas are freshwater fish native to South American rivers, streams, lakes, and floodplains. Scientists believe there may be anywhere between 40 and 60 different species. These fish are notorious for their dangerous swarming behavior. In reality, most of the time these fish are harmless to humans, and attacks result in minor injuries.
Known as a ferocious freshwater fish, the Piranha is a small to medium size fish native to lakes and rivers in South America. Some have been found to inhabit warm bodies of water in North America and in the Kaptai Lake in Bangladesh. They are infamous for their razor sharp teeth and extremely powerful jaws.
- Rivers, Lakes, Reservoirs, Floodplains
- Amazon Basin
- 10-20 Years
- 30-80 cm
Mar 30, 2015 · Top 10 Piranha Facts. In the wild, piranhas live in the rivers and streams of South America. The word piranha translates into “tooth fish” in Tupi, a Brazilian language. Piranhas live an average of eight years in captivity. Piranhas rarely attack humans. Fatal attacks are extremely rare.
May 17, 2021 · Piranhas are more diverse and less dangerous than commonly believed. Learn the truth behind their misleading reputation with these 12 piranha facts.
