World of Animals
Featured Animals
General
Almost everyone has heard about piranhas, but many of these people do not know an actual fact! We hope you enjoy learning about these amazing South American fish! To jump to a specific section, use the Quick Jump below by clicking on the headings.
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Size |
Habitat
and Habits
-lives in enormous packs called shoals
-spend most of their time hunting for food
-rivers are primary habitat
-due to flooding they may find their way into lakes
-have large appetites
-seek river locations that have plentiful fish supplies
-found in any river with abundant fish
Food
and Feeding
-hunts using speed and surprise
-attack typically by swimming right into a school of prey fish
-the prey scatter in all directions and piranhas overpower isolated
fish
-small fish are swallowed whole
-larger fish have chunks ripped from them
-have advanced sense of smell
-helps them locate prey
-presence of blood in water sends them into a frenzy
-capable of sensing unusual vibrations in water (like sharks)
-any commotion in water attracts piranhas
-will even attack an animal that enters the water to drink
Piranhas and Man
-throughout South America stories of piranha attacks on man are numerous
-some are probably true
-there are few proven accounts
-man is not a preferred food of the piranha
-should not be used as an aquarium pet
-have been dumped into ponds in US by aquarium owners
-is not known if these populations have increased
-are not endangered because...
-shunned by fishermen
-variety in diet
Links for More Information
-Piranha Page