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For other uses, see Piranha (disambiguation). 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.
- 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.)
Mar 7, 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
- 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.
- Piranhas Pose Little Risk to People. Piranha attacks on humans are rare, and when they do occur, typically involve one or just a few bites to the hands or feet by a single fish, resulting in injuries that are painful but not life-threatening.
- They Are Surprisingly Diverse. Piranhas belong to the taxonomic family Serrasalmidae, along with related fish known as pacu and silver dollars. There is no clear consensus about the number of piranha species alive today, due to challenges in identifying species, linking juveniles with adults, and unraveling their evolutionary histories, as researchers wrote in a study published in the journal Zootaxa.
- We Don’t Really Know When They Evolved. Modern piranhas might have evolved as recently as 1.8 million years ago, around the beginning of the Pleistocene Epoch, according to the Zootaxa study.
- Many Piranhas Eat Plants. Despite their stereotype as bloodthirsty carnivores, piranhas are classified as omnivores, since most species eat at least some plant material—and some may even be vegetarian.
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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.
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.