Welcome back to another fun and exciting week of Wild Facts. Today we are going to head to the tropical and sub-tropical oceans (although some do live in freshwater systems) to learn about one of the most poisonous creatures on earth. Of course we are going to explore the life of none other than the Puffer Fish, also known as the Blow Fish. I am sure most of us are familiar with this unique fish but let’s see what else we can learn.
The Puffer fish is a very slow and clumsy swimmer which makes them easy pickings for any potential predator. Instead of trying to out swim these fierce predators the Blow Fish has adapted a much more unique self defense mechanism. They have an elastic stomach and the ability to ingest large quantities of water in a short order of time. The result of this behaviour turns them into a large ball several times the size of their normal self. Naturally this makes it very difficult for a normal fish to consume the Puffer Fish. If a predator is “lucky” enough to actually consume the fish before it blows up into a ball it will pay a very costly price. As I mentioned the Blow Fish is one of the most poisonous animals on the planet. In fact they contain a poison called tetrodotoxin which is up to 1200 times more lethal than cyanide. If this doesn’t paint a clear enough picture than perhaps this little fact will. The Puffer Fish contains enough toxin to kill 30 humans and there is no known antidote. Of course, humans like to tempt fate so believe it or not the meat of the Puffer Fish is served as a delicacy in Japan called “fugu”. Personally, I wouldn’t recommend trying to eat one of these guys. In fact, I would probably just stay away from them completely but I guess I am just a big baby.
Puffer Fish Fast Fact – After the eggs of a Puffer Fish hatch, the young (called fry) are not fully developed. As a result they will form a hard protective shell around them. Eventually this shell will crack off and the fins and tail will develop. Once the Puffer Fish is big enough it will swim down and integrate itself with the rest of the community.
Well that is all I have on the deadly Puffer Fish. I hope you enjoyed today’s fact and I will see you back here tomorrow for Wild Fact #764.
WOW…what a neat looking fish. It looks like he’s smiling. I was surprised you didn’t use some sort of sentencing in your title which included ” He’ll huff and puff and blow”. You keep us guessing everyday! I’m also a chicken I wouldn’t try the Japanese dish “fugu” either…with my luck that would be tempting fate just a little bit too much. I wonder if any of your readers have tried it???????
I guess I just wasn’t very creative last night. I am kind of upset with myself for not making a pun with the title. It would have been very easy for the Blow Fish. I am glad I can keep you guessing every day. Part of the fun, I guess 🙂