Piranhas are voracious and dangerous fish. There are a lot of frightening myths and legends about these fish. It is believed that even crocodiles are afraid of these small predators.
Where do piranhas live?
Piranhas inhabit the rivers of South America. Their habitat stretches for tens of millions of square kilometers - from the eastern borders of the Andes mountain range to the very coast of the Atlantic. Piranhas inhabit the waters of Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina. There are more than twenty types of piranhas. Some species grow up to half a meter in length, while others remain very small a few centimeters long.
Contrary to popular belief, most piranha species are harmless. Only four species of these fish are aggressive and can be dangerous to humans. There is a lot of evidence of piranha attacks on humans, but none of these cases have led to fatal consequences.
The word "piranha" in the language of one of the South American tribes of the Indians means "fish-tooth". This name is a capacious characteristic of a fish whose teeth are exposed due to the special structure of the lower jaw. The muscles that control jaw movements are very strong. In fact, piranhas do not tear their prey apart, but cut off small pieces of meat. Piranha's teeth are extremely sharp. It is believed that they can damage even metal.
Piranhas are cannibals. They can easily pounce on their wounded relatives.
Common myths about piranhas
Contrary to the imposed stereotype, adult piranhas do not form large shoals. In the New York aquarium, where piranhas were bred, these fish kept a considerable distance from each other. However, during feeding, they pounced on prey in a dense group. After finishing feeding, they regained their usual distance. Moreover, when the fish density exceeded a certain permissible value, the piranhas began to fight among themselves.
It is not known exactly how piranhas sense their prey. Perhaps they are guided by the movements that their victims make. Scientists have suggested that piranhas can respond to changes in water levels.
Piranhas are quite popular in aquariums. However, in most countries, breeding them at home is prohibited. Many piranha owners jokingly release these fish into natural reservoirs, as a result, news about piranhas caught either in the Volga or in the Vistula often appears in the press. Fortunately, harsh winters prevent these fish from adapting to cold rivers. So the Amazon remains their main habitat.
