Man Uses a Piranha to Cut Wood

Through countless movies and urban myths, the piranha has developed an unfounded reputation for being a terrifying fish that will consume anything in its path, including humans. And, while piranhas may seem vicious at first glance, there is more to these creatures than meets the eye. 

However, demeanor aside, there is one fact that many stories get right — the sheer power of a piranha’s bite. 

A recent YouTube video depicts the incredible bite force of these little fish. In the film, a local from the Cuyabeno Rainforest demonstrates the piranha’s bite by placing a stick in its mouth. Within seconds, the branch is snapped in two as the fish’s teeth easily slice through the wood. 

The following sections offer a closer look at the piranha, diving deeper into its astounding bite, diet, habitat, and hunting behaviors. 

What is a Piranha?

Most people are familiar with the red-bellied piranha, but there are actually over 30 different recognized species. And, even though most are carnivorous, some of the piranhas are non-aggressive and prefer to feed on vegetation. The behavior and diets of the groups vary widely depending on the species and habitat where they live. 

Contrary to popular belief, most piranhas are relatively shy. Instead of traveling in groups to hunt, they do so as a form of protection against large predators such as caimans, river dolphins, and large birds. 

Where Do They Live?

Piranha are strictly freshwater fish and are native to South America. While they can be found throughout the continent, their primary habitat regions include:

• The Amazon River Basin
• The Orinoco River Basin
• Parana-Paraguay River System
• Essequibo River Basin

The fish also prefer murky waters, where their natural coloring helps them blend into their environment. During seasonal flooding, their territory expands to places such as flooded forests and shallow creeks.

What is the Bite Force of the Piranha?

Even though piranhas aren’t the biggest in stature, they possess an unusually powerful bite. In fact, the black piranha has one of the strongest bite forces relative to its body size out of any bony fish. 

A scientific study conducted by researchers discovered that a black piranha’s bite was approximately 72 pounds of force. 

When scaling the piranha’s body to look at other predators, the team concluded that the bite force of a black piranha was equivalent to that of an alligator. What’s even more incredible is that the black piranha can exert a bite force 30 times its body weight, which is a ratio that few larger carnivores can match. 

Where Does the Bite Force Come From?

Piranhas are able to generate a devastating bite force because of their massive jaw musculature and their interlocking, razor-sharp teeth. Unlike many fish that rely on suction to feed, piranhas use brute force to shred through their food. 

The jaw muscles of the piranha are anchored to a robust, reinforced skull, allowing the fish to generate significant force with each contraction. Likewise, a piranha’s teeth are designed to function much like scissors. 

When the jaws close, the teeth create a shearing action that slices cleanly through flesh, bone, and wooden branches. 

How Does It Hunt?

There is a big misconception about the way piranhas hunt. Thanks to classic horror movies, most people assume that piranhas hunt in large groups, waiting for an opportunity to strip the flesh from any animal unfortunate enough to step into the water. 

In reality, that’s not what happens, but it does make for a good scary movie. 

Piranhas actually don’t hunt in a large feeding frenzy style. Instead, they deploy a stealthy nipping tactic similar to that of other fish that live in the Amazon. 

What tends to happen is that a piranha looking to hunt will actually feed by sneaking up on its prey and nipping off a chunk of flesh. 

What Does a Piranha Eat?

It’s easy to let the imagination run wild when seeing a picture of a piranha. Thanks to a single row of razor-sharp teeth and a pronounced underbite, many people assume these fish are ravenous meat-eaters. 

While it’s true these toothy fish eat meat, they actually have an expansive diet that includes everything from aquatic invertebrates and fish to seeds and vegetation. There are even some species of piranha that are entirely vegetarian. 

Piranhas are also opportunistic eaters and will focus their attention on smaller prey or animals close to death. These types of targets ensure the fish has a chance to eat instead of facing a much larger animal that could cause injuries.