THE TAKEAWAY
Think a great white shark has the strongest bite in the water? Think again.
This tiny predator packs a jaw-dropping punch, delivering a bite more powerful than any shark on Earth — despite its surprisingly small size.
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Meet the black piranha, a fish small enough to fit in your hand, but powerful enough to make even the ocean’s top predators look weak.
According to a study published in Scientific Reports, black piranhas have a powerful bite, especially when their body size is taken into account.
Also known as the red-eyed piranha, the black piranha can grow to about 14 inches long and can generate a bite force of roughly 70 pounds.
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While a great white shark can generate an estimated bite force of thousands of pounds, the black piranha's bite is remarkable because of how powerful it is compared with the fish's body weight.
Researchers found that its bite force can reach roughly 30 times its body weight.
The incredible strength comes from the piranha's powerful jaw muscles and specialized jaw-lever system, which helps maximize the force of each bite. And its razor-sharp teeth add to its fearsome reputation.
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According to researchers, the piranha's unique jaw structure allows it to deliver an incredibly powerful bite, helping it tear through prey, including flesh and fins.
It’s upper and lower jaws work together much like scissors, allowing the fish to shear off chunks of meat before swallowing them.
And the black piranha's bite isn't its only unsettling trait.
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According to the Louisville Zoo, piranhas can be attracted to the smell of blood and the frantic splashing associated with injured prey. During feeding frenzies, piranhas may also bite one another as they compete for food.
Black piranhas are native to South America and can be found throughout major river systems, including the Amazon, Orinoco and Essequibo River basins.
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So, the next time you're in the water worrying about a great white shark, remember, the most intimidating predator isn't the biggest one.
It might be the small, razor-toothed fish lurking beneath the surface.
The post This tiny fish has a bite stronger than a great white shark appeared first on Fox Weather
