Piranha facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Piranha |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: | |
| Family: |
Serrasalmidae
Géry, 1972
|
| Genera | |
|
Catoprion |
|
The piranha is a type of fish known for its sharp teeth. People sometimes call it the caribe. These fish live in groups, called schools, in fresh water. You can find them in warm rivers and lakes in South America, especially east of the Andes Mountains.
Piranhas have also been brought to other places. These include northern Brazil, Hawaii, and parts of Central and North America. There are many different kinds of piranhas. They belong to groups called Pygocentrus and Serrasalmus. Piranhas create new fish by laying eggs.
What Piranhas Eat
Piranhas are meat-eaters, also called carnivores. They eat both water animals and land animals that fall into the water. They are known to eat other fish, mollusks, crustaceans, and insects.
Sometimes, they also eat birds, lizards, amphibians, and small rodents. Piranhas are also scavengers. This means they eat carrion, which is dead meat they find. These fish are most active during the day.
Who Eats Piranhas
Many animals hunt and eat piranhas, especially young ones. Other piranhas will eat them. Larger animals like caimans, water snakes, and turtles also prey on them.
Birds, otters, and even people eat piranhas. It's a tough world out there for a piranha!
Reproduction
Piranhas reproduce by laying eggs. The female piranha lays her eggs, and the male piranha fertilizes them. They often lay eggs in nests built in the water. The parents guard the eggs until they hatch. This helps protect the young fish from predators.
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
