The carnivorous fish piranha is a freshwater fish that lives in tropical rivers such as South America. So, how to safely cross the river with piranhas? Here is the explanation introduced by the YouTube channel RealLifeLore.
The legend that piranhas are a cruel and scary fish was spread by the visit of US President Theodore Roosevelt to South America in 1913. President Roosevelt, who explored the Amazon River basin, witnessed local residents blocking the river to increase piranhas and then tossing livestock for food. When President Roosevelt saw the cow quickly become bones, he exaggeratedly wrote in his memoir that he was afraid. This penetration among people through popular culture became the prototype for today’s piranha image.
Contrary to the image of a bloodthirsty fish, the real piranha is a very docile fish, mainly feeding on small animals or dead creatures. Of course, it can sometimes attack living humans.
Among the piranhas, particularly dangerous is the piranha nattereri (Pygocentrus nattereri). The piranha natteri has jagged, knife-like teeth, and when the jaw is closed, the teeth are firmly engaged. With its sharp teeth, it can bite a human’s fingers, toes, or other protrusions.
If you are crossing a South American river where piranhas inhabit, it is better to choose January to March, the rainy season. If the river overflows with rain, the bait of piranhas is abundant. On the other hand, the dry season of June to August should be avoided. This is because the risk of targeting non-target prey, i.e. humans, is high if hungry piranhas are common because the river water is dry and there is not enough to eat piranhas.
In addition, as piranhas are attracted to the smell of blood like sharks, bleeding wounds should not be immersed in water if possible. Since piranhas are nocturnal, the best time to cross the river is at night. However, you should swim slowly and gently so as not to irritate the piranha. This is because if you make a sound, you can drown in the water and make yourself think it is cool.
The second most important thing after crossing the river is the location on the other side. Because piranhas react to dead fish and fishing lures, it is a dangerous point for anglers. Also, while the calm river flow is suitable for humans to swim, it is dangerous because it is a place where piranhas can breed.
Trees are also a dangerous place. This is because piranhas have a habit of swimming through trees in anticipation of birds and eggs falling. The most dangerous place is the place where the piranha swarm is active enough to see the surface of the water.
When the piranha bites the meat, it immediately leaves. Then, they do an efficient group hunt, where they attack their prey. A situation in which a river attacks its prey so vigorously that it appears to be boiling is called a feeding frenzy.
However, there are few records that actually ate piranhas alive as in the movies. One of the few cases in Bolivia in 2018 is that an 18-year-old drunken boy fell into a river and was attacked by piranhas. In a survey conducted by scientists in the past, it was estimated that 300 to 500 hungry piranhas would need a frantic attack for five minutes in order for a human adult to be eaten by piranhas. However, since this situation is rare, there is no need to worry too much if you avoid dangerous times and places.
To summarize, the things that piranhas attract the most are blood and sound. Therefore, when entering a river with piranhas, it is better to think again about making loud noises or talking.