Piranha attacks on humans

[Silurus]

Some documentation at long last...

Mol, JH, 2006. Attacks on humans by the piranha Serrasalmus rhombeus in Suriname. Studies on Neotropical Fauna and Environment 41: 189?195.

Abstract

Piranhas have a reputation of being man-eating fishes, notwithstanding the absence of well-documented records of piranha attacks on human beings. Three sites in Suriname where piranha attacks on bathers have taken place are discussed. In two isolated villages on the Wayombo River, most victims were children. In one village, 30 piranha attacks occurred in a period of 12 years, bites were mostly on the feet, and injuries were relatively harmless. In the second village, attacks occurred in a period of 7 years, and injuries were more serious, including the loss of digits and large and deep wounds in legs, arms and trunk. Two victims were attacked by several piranhas simultaneously. At the third site, a recreation park on the Suriname River, most attacks involved a single bite on the feet and victims were able to walk back to the beach without being attacked by other piranhas. Piranha attacks on humans did not result in deaths. The recovery of a toe phalange (Wayombo River) and a piece of flesh including a nail (Suriname River) from the stomach of two piranhas identified the fish responsible for the attacks as Serrasalmus rhombeus. Attacks on humans by S. rhombeus were associated with high age 0+ piranha densities in the dry season, high human prey densities, commotion in the water by humans, and spillage of food, fish offal or blood in the water.

[bronzefry]

I think this abstract needs to be forwarded to <a href='http://community.discovery.com/1/OpenTo ... 9701967776' target='_blank'>Mythbusters</a>!
Amanda

[sidguppy]

oh, I can't wait to see Adam and Jamie fooling around with these.....

anyone seen the show about the myth that fish are supposed to have a memory of a mere 30 seconds?

wich every fishkeeper knows is bogus ofcourse.
but it was hilarious to see both of em with a tank full of goldfish and a maze build in, teaching the fishies to follow the maze for food.

as a result of that show I'm currently assisting 2 of my students with exactly that same project; 2 tanks, 4 goldies, a maze made of plastic sheets, fishfood.....

but the Mythbusters with piranha's; yeah, that'll be great

[bronzefry]

I posted it....
Amanda

[bronzefry]

Talk about a busy forum, the posting sank SEVEN....that's (7) pages in less than 24 hours!
Amanda