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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.
- 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.)
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
Learn about the piranha, a freshwater fish native to South America with specialized teeth and strong bite. Find out about its different species, behavior, reproduction, and why it is not as dangerous as it seems.
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 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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Aug 20, 2010 · With Richard Dreyfuss, Ving Rhames, Elisabeth Shue, Christopher Lloyd. After a sudden underwater tremor sets free scores of the prehistoric man-eating fish, an unlikely group of strangers must band together to stop themselves from becoming fish food for the area's new razor-toothed residents.
May 17, 2021 · Learn about the diverse and fascinating piranhas, the omnivorous fish with sharp teeth and a bad reputation. Discover how they communicate, eat, evolve, and interact with their environment and each other.
