Pufferfish are Unique Designs From an Intelligent Designer
by Owen Borville
July 15, 2020
Biology
Pufferfish (Tetraodontidae family) are uniquely designed creations that are known for their ability to dramatically inflate their bodies as a defense mechanism. Pufferfish are also known as balloonfish, blowfish, or bubblefish. Pufferfish live in the warm, tropical waters of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans. Some species live in freshwater. Pufferfish size can range from one inch to four feet and come in a variety of colors. Some varieties have spines on their body. Pufferfish are carnivorous and have four teeth, two on top and two on bottom that are fused together to look like a beak and help them eat shelled animals. Pufferfish have scaleless, thick, rough skin that is sometimes spiny. The eyes can move independently.
Pufferfish Defense Mechanisms
Pufferfish inflate by injesting water and some air in to their bodies, transforming into ball-like shapes two or three times as large as normal that scare predators. Their elastic skin over their stomach enables this inflating. This ability to inflate helps compensate for the fact that pufferfish are poor swimmers and don't escape from predators well.
Many pufferfish varieties can change their body color or intensity in response to environmental changes.
Their eyesight is excellent, allowing them to find food and detect predators early. A burst of energy allows them to escape from predators quickly but pufferfish cannot swim fast over longer ranges.
Spines and quills on their bodies help deter predators from swallowing the pufferfish.
Most pufferfish are among the most toxic animals in the world and contain a toxin (called tetrodotoxin) that can be 1200 times stronger than cyanide, enough to kill 30 adult men. When they inflate, toxin is released onto their skin. Despite this toxicity, the pufferfish is eaten by humans as a delicacy in Asia as the toxic portion is removed by specially trained chefs. Despite this, humans still die from eating this fish. Sharks are immune to the pufferfish toxin and can eat them.
by Owen Borville
July 15, 2020
Biology
Pufferfish (Tetraodontidae family) are uniquely designed creations that are known for their ability to dramatically inflate their bodies as a defense mechanism. Pufferfish are also known as balloonfish, blowfish, or bubblefish. Pufferfish live in the warm, tropical waters of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans. Some species live in freshwater. Pufferfish size can range from one inch to four feet and come in a variety of colors. Some varieties have spines on their body. Pufferfish are carnivorous and have four teeth, two on top and two on bottom that are fused together to look like a beak and help them eat shelled animals. Pufferfish have scaleless, thick, rough skin that is sometimes spiny. The eyes can move independently.
Pufferfish Defense Mechanisms
Pufferfish inflate by injesting water and some air in to their bodies, transforming into ball-like shapes two or three times as large as normal that scare predators. Their elastic skin over their stomach enables this inflating. This ability to inflate helps compensate for the fact that pufferfish are poor swimmers and don't escape from predators well.
Many pufferfish varieties can change their body color or intensity in response to environmental changes.
Their eyesight is excellent, allowing them to find food and detect predators early. A burst of energy allows them to escape from predators quickly but pufferfish cannot swim fast over longer ranges.
Spines and quills on their bodies help deter predators from swallowing the pufferfish.
Most pufferfish are among the most toxic animals in the world and contain a toxin (called tetrodotoxin) that can be 1200 times stronger than cyanide, enough to kill 30 adult men. When they inflate, toxin is released onto their skin. Despite this toxicity, the pufferfish is eaten by humans as a delicacy in Asia as the toxic portion is removed by specially trained chefs. Despite this, humans still die from eating this fish. Sharks are immune to the pufferfish toxin and can eat them.
Deflated Pufferfish
