New Delhi: Piranhas dominate the rivers and lakes of South America and are dangerous, according to popular perception. Their razor-sharp teeth and tendency to hunt in large groups make them popular predators in the common narrative and popular culture has shown them to mercilessly attack animals and humans. While Piranhas feed on fish, they are not always predatory and also feed on plants, making them omnivorous. But are they as dangerous as they are thought to be? Let us find out in this article.
How dangerous are the Piranhas?
Among the Piranhas, most do not grow beyond 14 inches and their colour varies from complete black to silver with orange undersides. They have large blunt heads with strong jaws which contain sharp teeth which can cut most thick armour-like skin. Among the bony fishes, Piranhas have one of the strongest bites and the black piranha specifically produces one of the most forceful bites measured in vertebrates. This is due to the large jaw muscles attached closely to the tip of the jaw. The powerful jaws along with finely serrated teeth make them adept at tearing flesh.
Where are they found?
The Piranhas are found in waterbodies from Colombia to northern Argentina, but they are mostly found in the Amazon River with 20 different species calling it home. Among the Piranhas, the most infamous is the red-bellied piranha who possess the most powerful jaw and sharpest teeth.
In the Amazon basin, Piranhas are found in the Orinoco, in rivers of the Guianas, in the São Francisco River systems, and in the Paraguay–Paraná. In recent years, the US has seen a rise in aquarium piranhas and they have also been discovered in Bangladesh’s Kaptai Lake. Moreover, they were also found in China’s Lijiang River. When the level of water is low, the red-bellied piranhas tend to hunt in groups with over 100 of them attacking one animal. Sometimes, several groups attack a large animal together.
Here, it must be noted that while the popular narratives have portrayed them as extremely dangerous, piranhas generally do not attack humans. They may do so in stressful situations, especially when food is relatively scarce. If someone in the water is already injured or otherwise incapacitated, the risk of being attacked by piranhas increases. Also, most species of piranhas never kill large animals.
The Piranhas are found in waterbodies from Colombia to northern Argentina, but they are mostly found in the Amazon River with 20 different species calling it home. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
