You aren't signed in     Sign In    Help

Say Ahhhhhh......

don't worry JK10976, ...his eyes are here.
...not here.
oh yaa... then what is above one :-)
is this nose :-)?
I'll investigate and get back to you. :-) If there are any pirahna experts out there... please feel free to chime in. Do fish have noses?
Yep, it's a nose sure enough... well, it's called a nasal flap - http://www.piranha-info.com/default.php?lang=en&id=page_1
Look at me I m smiling !!!
Pirahna hunt in band and only the night. So feel free to swim in river among pirhana in diurnal.
Say Ahhhhhh...... by Laura Travels.
No fish were harmed in the making of these photos... I took my kids piranha fishing in the Amazon and our guide is just using the soft side of his pocket knife to show us the teeth of a beauty my daugher caught. We learned that they aren't dangerous to humans unless you're caught in a feeding frenzy and that mostly they prefer to eat seeds and such so that's why they need such sharp teeth.

Later on that afternoon, just to test that theory, we all went swimming in this same lake! :-)

I was inspired to post this after watching the Planet Earth program on Discovery on Sunday. They really sensationalized the behavior of these guys. I hate it when they do that. Anyway, for those of you who saw it... here's one up close from a lake just like the one on the show. 
This photo has notes. Move your mouse over the photo to see them.

Comments

view profile

emorpi  Pro User  says:

Terrible fish...
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

photogenesis ...  Pro User  says:

Yikes - what a fearsome set of teeth - superb shot - very interesting to see what they've got that gives them that reputation - now we know!

Are we looking at a hostage situation above - "Anyone moves ... the fish gets it!"
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

Abizeleth  Pro User  says:

Oh my! What big teeth you have, my dear!
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

βomobob  Pro User  says:

Yikes is right! Great shot.
OK, I'm scared now. Are we done yet?
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

lionel.champy says:

" Terrific teeth." I wouldn't dare to put my finger in even the smallest one :)
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

blhphotography  Pro User  says:

wow! great shot. did you eat it?
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

Laura Travels  Pro User  says:

NO WAY!! They are way too cool to eat! We threw all of them back. We just wanted to see what they looked like up close.
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

stokrotka49 says:

Wow!

The Nature Group
-
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

emace  Pro User  says:

You won't be lippin' them like a big ol' bass! Nasty, bitey teeth - cool shot.

--
Seen in my contacts' photos. (?)
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

R-Rated Birdman of Hell Paso  Pro User  says:

Those are not teeth for munching seeds.
Nice shot.
I saw this image while adding to the *Nature* (Pool)
It's cool to get and give comments!
Please consider posting this fine image to:
El Paso Joe’s Place
The discussions are full of hints tips and tricks.
My Profile
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

Laura Travels  Pro User  says:

Okay... fine... and rotting carcases like the dead anaconda we saw them munching on... :-)
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

Souer99 [deleted] says:

And what if you get caught in a feeding frenzy???!!!!??? swimming there?? No way!!
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

Cesar R.  Pro User  says:

Way too cool! Love the close up and the caption... ;-)

However, you are INSANE!!! LOL! I would've tested the guide's theory having HIM swim on the lake, not me... ;-) Call me a sissy if you want; but a sissy with two whole legs... :-D

NaturesFinestNaturesFinest
Please add this great photo to Natures Finest
Tag your photo with "NaturesFinest"

Invited with SIC
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

Laura Travels  Pro User  says:

sissy... :-)
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

Macrofocus  Pro User  says:

Great closeup of a very pretty fish. I used to breed and raise these beauties myself for the aquarium trade. Much better option than taking wild fish. Would love to see them in their native environment. I am very jealous of your opportunity :-)
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

kansasexplorer 3128  Pro User  says:

Really interesting photo and comments, and BTW - you're amazing!!
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

j.anne4 ( Janne )  Pro User  says:


The Nature Group

--
Seen in *Nature* (?)
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

Laura Travels  Pro User  says:

Ignacio - My keyboard doesn't have that cool little "n" thing or I'd do it for sure! :-)

Thanks for all the comments folks. Hope you enjoyed the entertainment. I thought it would be a nice break from landscapes for a bit.
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

Tiffibunny  Pro User  says:

Fantastic! It must have been neat to see one up close.

--
Seen in Natures Finest (Invite Only Please Read Rules) (?)
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

BagOneStatus says:

That's amazing. Haven't seen the episode of Planet Earth that talks about Pirahnas yet, although I have quite liked the first couple. Still, I'm glad that there aren't any of these in our lake...the deerflies take out enough little bites without having to worry about any underwater critters.
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

Laura Travels  Pro User  says:

I think deerflies are the only creatures on the whole planet that I can say I strongly dislike. Nasty, horrible little buggers!
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

camerabaggs says:

Swimming.......in a lake full of teeth?
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

Laura Travels  Pro User  says:

Okay... if you really MUST know... the lake was also full of black cayman (we saw PLENTY the night before), anaconda (we saw one the next day) and leeches... but who's counting!

The most fun was doing it just to say we did... but for some reason that didn't sound nearly as stupid at the time! :-)

Fortunately my kids still have all their fingers and toes and also quite a good time telling their friends what they did last summer.

...and did I tell you we were evacuated from Banos the night Tungurahua erupted?

tungurahua blows
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

Nelson~Blue  Pro User  says:

Mmmmmmmm...... nice smile !!! lol !!!
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

NaturalLight  Pro User  says:

I guess the best way to avoid a feeding frenzy is to eat before you go swimming, but my mom told me it was a bad idea to eat just before swimming. I'm not sure what she would have said about swimming with pirañas! Great photo in any case....
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

cfwee says:

Nice set of dentures. Sounds like a great adventure. I am jealous.
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

Michael/ capemayX says:

Wow what a cool shot.

Isn't that Planet Earth series the most incredible ever?
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

green_kermit  Pro User  says:

Scary chap isn't he. Being evacuated due to a volcano sounds err interesting....
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

BamaWester  Pro User  says:

Geeze....that are some nasty looking teeth. Great shot and thanks for the info about these little guys. They do have a bad reputation.
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

Ozventure  Pro User  says:

Yuk... parp!!

--
Seen in my contacts' photos. (?)
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

jk10976  Pro User  says:

where is his eyes :-)?

well lovely shOt :-)
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

Ducatirider  Pro User  says:

Amazing shot of an amazing fish. I wonder if they floss :)
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

Stefan Elf  Pro User  says:

Nice shot! Another myth busted...
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

Romeodesign  Pro User  says:

what an intresting nature photo, like a frame from the Discovery channel :-)
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

borderglider  Pro User  says:

This is a superb sequence Laura and the piranha is a National Geographic shot. These documentaries often sensationalize natural behaviour and project 'evil' human characteristics onto creatures. The BBC just did a doc. on the Amazon and showed the photogrpaher snorkling with Piranha for hours on end; they were not remotely interested in him and were in fact quite shy. Anyway, fabulous adventure. Deerflies are imps of Satan - they are called Clegs in Scotland and they land on you in total silence. If you get bitten you reallys well up - well I do. The price for getting close to nature.
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

aGinger  Pro User  says:

Wow...it' shocking for first sight...then I read your comment, and then the others'...you're brave! And great photographer! :-)
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

Florida Dave says:

I seen a story about these guys they say that the villagers eat these guys and they use the teeth to cut hair which i thought to myself that those teeth are really sharp Great pic
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

Picture This1 ( Finding my Zen)  Pro User  says:

Your very brave This is a great shot though
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

DownTown Pictures  Pro User  says:

Looks Like My Ex...no wonder She always freaked me out....Awesome shot.....

--
Seen on your photo stream. (?)
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

ANDIFOTO  Pro User  says:

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! very interesting frame !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

Gert van Duinen  Pro User  says:

yes indeed, they sensationalize everything because it's the only way to get the mass hooked on TV! I am glad that "The Internet killed the video star" :)

Nice picture. in fact they could be family of a species we have here called Snoek, Snoekbaars, base or bass?
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

natureluv  Pro User  says:

I was in the Amazon a few years ago and the guide did the same thing except that when he glanced away the fish bit him. He had to use some medicinal leaves to stop the bleeding.

NATURES
NATURES
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

pietro marino says:

He's not bad! Maybe.... He needs friends! =)
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

macchianera says:

beautiful and terrible fish
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

Big Gig Photography says:

That section of Planet Earth was dreadful wasnt it? I have found that watching each episode, its not been edited as well as what it could have been and the writing that has been narrated could have been way better.

When it came to the piranas, my husband and I were like "huh?", it was spotty and really not informative. That being said, we have enjoyed the show alot....they just could have made it so much better with the writing and editing.

And this shot rocks!!! And the fact you went for a dip, you are my hero.
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

Southcoasting  Pro User  says:

I want to plaster "Please don't try this at home kids" over this one. No matter what, i don't think you could get me to cuddle a piranha - or at least not swim with them!
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

windypizza  Pro User  says:

Very impressive shot!
--
Seen on your photo stream. (?)
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

Vilhelm Sjostrom  Pro User  says:

holy shit >:-X
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

-CAT- says:

wow, what a shot!
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

johnalanhall  Pro User  says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Focus on the Head, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group. The photo may prompt people to read the comments and learn more about these fish! Thank you for educating us!

And of course the photo is very dramatic!
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

eustacia42  Pro User  says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called PIRANHAS!!!!, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

globulo_blanco1347 says:

beatifull photo so scary even if the fish is really in such bigger trounble than we are
Posted 28 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

Swamibu  Pro User  says:

Amazing details!
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

robjam53 says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called interesting and different, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

www.paulobico.com  Pro User  says:

I love the teeth
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

moonjazz  Pro User  says:

I think this is a great image!
I have tagged the image "FlickrsBest" and
you are invited to join and add it to:


Well done.
Please ensure that your image is 'Tagged' - FlickrsBest - Thanks
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

Rinaldo W.  Pro User  says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Ecuador Photoguide, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

Mr Vimes  Pro User  says:

Nice knashers!
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

andre.govia  Pro User  says:

WoW that thing has bad news all over it :(
www.missionabandoned.com
Posted 19 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

eDanial  Pro User  says:

amazing
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

Jessica Hellman  Pro User  says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called People & Animals, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

Fritzzen says:

ohh nice pic xD
poor fish.
but you sat it wasn't hurt so.. (?)
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

thehotchili2000  Pro User  says:

Boy does this one look pissed off. haha nice capture..
Posted 6 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

rami.halim says:

awesome shot... thanks for the info :)
Posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

jact2009 says:

Ecuador aventuras y majestuosidad donde quieras Viva Ecuador Carajo
Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )

Would you like to comment?

Sign up for a free account, or sign in (if you're already a member).

[?]
view photos Uploaded on April 17, 2007
by Laura Travels

Laura Travels' photostream

520
uploads

This photo also belongs to:

Ecuador - August '06 (Set)

58
items

All Animals (Pool)

Nature Group: From animals to plants. (Pool)

Nature Scenes (Pool)

Nature Photography (Pool)

'It's multi-colored!!!' (Pool)

#1 Nature & Wildlife Photographers Corner (Pool)

The Nature Conservancy (Pool)

Natures Finest (Invited Images Only) CONTESTS OPEN ! (Pool)

*Nature* (2 COMMENTS / PHOTO use GROUP CODE) - TIME TO VOTE!! (Pool)

interesting and different (Pool)

People & Animals (Pool)

Tags

Additional Information

All rights reserved Anyone can see this photo

Add to your map