AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |
Back to Blog
Piranha8/13/2023 When food is scarce, piranhas have been known to resort to cannibalism, preying on chunks of their own weaker or sick members. Like sharks, piranhas are equipped with specialized sensory organs that make them especially sensitive to the presence of blood in the water. They will only tend to eat larger creatures, such as mammals and birds if they are dead or dying and have fallen into the water.įeeding frenzies are only triggered when there is blood in the water or during food shortages when the fish become more aggressive. Piranhas are omnivores, their diet typically consisting of insects, fish, snails, worms, seeds, and various plants. The popular image of piranhas is one of a vicious, flesh-eating (even human-eating) predator that devours its prey in a matter of seconds, creating a big bloody frenzy that leaves only the skeleton behind. Schooling together enables the fish nearer the center of the shoal to remain protected and to respond to predator attacks with greater calm and skill. Piranhas – particularly when they are young – are actually the meal of choice for several animals, including caimans, river dolphins, turtles, otters, birds, and other larger fish. Contrary to popular thought this tendency to stick together is not a hunting technique, but a form of self-defense. Shoals of piranhas can be found in numbers of up to 1000. However, owners sometimes have a change of heart (typically when the fish grow too big) and release them into the wild, explaining why piranha have sometimes been found in places outside their native home such as in the UK and China. ![]() They are also kept as pets in some parts of the world. However, piranhas have been introduced to various areas worldwide, including North and Central America, Hawaii, and Bangladesh. It is particularly prevalent in the Amazon basin, Orinoco River in Venezuela, and the Paraná River in Argentina. ![]() The piranha is native to the northern half of South America, where it has lived for millions of years, residing in warm freshwater rivers, lakes, and streams. As you’re bound to encounter some on an Amazon river cruise, here are the Top 6 Piranha Facts to help uncover the mystery and misconceptions behind this intriguing fish. ![]() But the piranha is in many ways a misunderstood creature. Piranhas are known for their sharp vicious-looking teeth and insatiable appetite, which partly accounts for their ferocious and rather fearsome reputation. They are a diverse animal, with different types displaying a range of colors and patterning, from yellow to black, steely grey to dark red, often with colorful underbellies. There are around 30 species in known existence, with average sizes ranging from 5 to 10 inches in length – though in rare cases they can extend up to 24 inches. Piranhas are freshwater fish commonly found in the Amazon basin.
0 Comments
Read More
Leave a Reply. |