Julie Forester
Search results
Piranhas are freshwater fish with sharp teeth that inhabit South American rivers and lakes. Learn about their taxonomy, evolution, diet, behavior, and threats from this comprehensive article.
- Helen Thompson
- 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.)
Aug 23, 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.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Learn about the piranha, a ferocious freshwater fish with razor sharp teeth and powerful jaws. Find out how many species there are, what they eat, where they live, and why they are not as dangerous as they seem.
- Rivers, Lakes, Reservoirs, Floodplains
- Amazon Basin
- 10-20 Years
- 30-80 cm
May 27, 2024 · Learn about piranha, the freshwater fish with razor-sharp teeth and a fierce reputation. Find out how many species there are, where they live, what they eat, and how they evolved.
Mar 30, 2015 · Piranhas are small fish with a big reputation — and big teeth! Piranhas are freshwater fish, and live in the rivers and streams of South America. This article contains piranha facts and information, and is part of our Rainforest Animals series. The piranha's fearsome reputation is partly due to fact, and partly due to fiction.
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.
