Piranha facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Piranha |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: | |
| Family: |
Serrasalmidae
Géry, 1972
|
| Genera | |
|
Catoprion |
|
The piranha (also known as the caribe) is a ferocious, schooling, fresh-water fish. It is native to warm lowland streams and lakes in South America, east of the Andes Mountains. Piranhas have been introduced to other places, including Northern Brazil, Hawaii, and parts of Central and North America. There are many species of piranha; they belong to the genera Pygocentrus and Serrasalmus. They reproduce by laying eggs.
Contents
Diet
Piranhas are opportunistic carnivores (flesh-eaters). They eat aquatic and land animals that are in the water. Some of the prey includes fish, mollusks, crustaceans, insects, birds, lizards, amphibians, rodents, and carrion (dead meat that they find). These fish are diurnal (most active during the day).
Predators
Many animals prey upon piranhas (especially young piranhas), including other piranhas, caimans, water snakes, turtles, birds, otters, and people.
Images for kids
-
Piranha in Venezuela
-
Jawbone of Pygocentrus nattereri
-
Close-up of a piranha at Georgia Aquarium
-
Fishing piranha on the Ucayali River
-
A piranha, lightly grilled, served as food in the Peruvian Amazon
-
A souvenir piranha
See also
In Spanish: Piraña para niños
