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.

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.

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Comments

emorpi says:

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

photogenesis ... 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 )

Abizeleth says:

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

βomobob says:

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

lionel.champy says:

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

blhphotography says:

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

Laura Travels 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 )

stokrotka49 says:

Wow!

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

emace says:

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

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Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

R-Rated Birdman of Hell Paso 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 )

Laura Travels 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 )

Cesar R. 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

NaturesFinest
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Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

Laura Travels says:

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

Macrofocus 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 )

kansasexplorer 3128 says:

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

j.anne4 ( Janne ) says:

The Nature Group

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Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

Laura Travels 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 )

Tiffibunny says:

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

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Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

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 )

Laura Travels 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 )

camerabaggs says:

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

Laura Travels 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?

Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

Nelson~Blue says:

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

NaturalLight 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 )

cfwee says:

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

Michael/ capemayX says:

Wow what a cool shot.

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

green_kermit says:

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

BamaWester 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 )

Ozventure says:

Yuk... parp!!

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Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

jk10976 says:

where is his eyes :-)?

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

Ducatirider says:

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

Stefan Elf says:

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

Romeodesign says:

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

borderglider 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 )

aGinger 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 )

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 )

Picture This1 ( Finding my Zen) says:

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

DownTown Pictures says:

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

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Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

ANDIFOTO says:

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

Gert van Duinen 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 )

natureluv 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 )

pietro marino says:

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

macchianera says:

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

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 )

Southcoasting 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 )

windypizza says:

Very impressive shot!
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Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

Vilhelm Sjostrom says:

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

-CAT- says:

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

johnalanhall 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 )

eustacia42 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 )

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 )

Swamibu says:

Amazing details!
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

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 )

www.paulobico.com says:

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

moonjazz 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 )

Rinaldo W. 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 )

Mr Vimes says:

Nice knashers!
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

andre.govia says:

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

eDanial says:

amazing
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

Jessica Hellman 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 )

Fritzzen says:

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

thehotchili2000 says:

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

rami.halim says:

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

jact2009 says:

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

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Comments

emorpi says:

photogenesis ... says:

Abizeleth says:

βomobob says:

lionel.champy says:

blhphotography says:

Laura Travels says:

stokrotka49 says:

emace says:

R-Rated Birdman of Hell Paso says:

Laura Travels says:

Souer99 [deleted] says:

Cesar R. says:

Laura Travels says:

Macrofocus says:

kansasexplorer 3128 says:

j.anne4 ( Janne ) says:

Laura Travels says:

Tiffibunny says:

BagOneStatus says:

Laura Travels says:

camerabaggs says:

Laura Travels says:

Nelson~Blue says:

NaturalLight says:

cfwee says:

Michael/ capemayX says:

green_kermit says:

BamaWester says:

Ozventure says:

jk10976 says:

Ducatirider says:

Stefan Elf says:

Romeodesign says:

borderglider says:

aGinger says:

Florida Dave says:

Picture This1 ( Finding my Zen) says:

DownTown Pictures says:

ANDIFOTO says:

Gert van Duinen says:

natureluv says:

pietro marino says:

macchianera says:

Big Gig Photography says:

Southcoasting says:

windypizza says:

Vilhelm Sjostrom says:

-CAT- says:

johnalanhall says:

eustacia42 says:

globulo_blanco1347 says:

Swamibu says:

robjam53 says:

www.paulobico.com says:

moonjazz says:

Rinaldo W. says:

Mr Vimes says:

andre.govia says:

eDanial says:

Jessica Hellman says:

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