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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.
Piranha is a term for more than 60 species of carnivorous fish of South American rivers and lakes. Learn about their features, behaviour, diet, and classification in this article from Britannica.
- 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.)
Learn about the piranha, a freshwater fish with specialized teeth that can rip apart prey in minutes. Find out how they live in different habitats, what they eat, how they interact with humans, and how they reproduce. Discover the interesting and alarming facts about these predators that are often misjudged.
Mar 30, 2015 · Learn about piranhas, the small fish with razor sharp teeth that live in the rivers and streams of South America. Find out their appearance, size, species, diet, habitat, predators, reproduction and more. Discover how they are not as dangerous as they seem and why they are not usually interested in humans.
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- Piranha Facts: Appearance & SizeThe 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)...
- Do Piranhas Attack Humans?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...
- Love Animals? Join Our Free Newsletter List!Join the FREE Active Wild Newsletter List. A must for all animal fans. Awesome animal facts and information delivered direct to your inbox. It’s ab...
Learn about the razor-sharp teeth, omnivorous diet, and diverse habitats of piranhas, the ferocious freshwater fish native to South America. Find out how they live longer, have a sensitive nose, and are not as bloodthirsty as Hollywood movies suggest.
Aug 17, 2021 · Learn 10 surprising facts about piranhas, the misunderstood freshwater fish of South America. Discover how they eat, school, bite, and adapt to their environment.
