From the Smokies to South America

piranha

PIRANHAS

Piranhas are divided into two subfamilies—carnivorous and herbivorous. Herbivorous piranhas are commonly called pacus and can grow to be 44 pounds. Carnivorous piranhas are much smaller, but are renowned for their ferocity and fearlessness.

Frequently, in the wild, they become stranded in pools due to drought conditions. When this happens, they have been known to attack cows, crocodiles, and even humans, and can strip flesh off their prey in minutes!

anableps

ANABLEPS

The anableps, a four-eyed fish from South America, is the only animal in the world equipped with bifocals!

Its eyes, including its retina and cornea, are divided horizontally into two sections— one above the water and one below the water. With its unique four-eyes, the anableps can safely hunt for food while keeping a lookout for predators.

arapaima

ARAPAIMA

Native to the Amazon and its tributaries, the arapaima, or pirarucu, is one of the largest fresh water fish in the world! Arapaima measuring ten feet in length and weighing 400 pounds are common, and enormous specimens reaching 15 feet and 1,000 pounds have been reported.

The arapaima can make an exhale breathing sound that can be heard 100 feet away. Its tongue is so rough that natives use them to grate food.

double frog

POISONOUS DART FROGS

The fantastically colorful poison dart frogs of Central and South America are extremely potent. Despite their tiny size, with the largest amphibian measuring less than 1.5 inches, these frogs are highly toxic and can even be lethal to humans.

COME LOOK, BUT DON'T TOUCH

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