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What makes puffer fish so deadly
00:00 Mon 05th Nov 2001 | Animals & Nature
A.� There are around a hundred species of puffer fish but not all of them are deadly. The lethal species secrete the poison tetradotoxin in their skin and internal organs. Tetrodotoxin is one of the deadliest known poisons. Once ingested it affects the nervous system and induces breathing problems in the victim.
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Q.� But some people eat puffer fish
A.� Yes, in Japan the puffer fish is considered a delicacy. As a consequence, Japan has the highest incidence of textrodotoxin poisoning, even though restaurants have to have a special license to be able to serve puffer fish. As a matter of interest survivors of this delicacy report that it's delicious.
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Q.� Where do puffer fish live
A.� Puffer fish are found mainly in the sub-tropical and tropical waters of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans.
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Q.� Why are they called puffer fish
A.� Despite being lethal it seems that the fish are not fearless and puff themselves up when scared. If they feel threatened they gulp large amounts of water, making their bodies inflate and their spines, which cover their bodies, stick out, in the hope of scaring off their aggressor.
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Once the threat has gone they quickly release the water and return to their normal size and shape.
This survival technique probably puts most predators off, but the really brave, as incitatus points out, probably suffer the same fate as some unfortunate Japanese pleasure seekers.
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Want to know about a poisonous animal Click here to ask.
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by Lisa Cardy
