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Pufferfish Research Paper

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Pufferfish are small amazingly creatures with great power when it comes to the defense mechanisms. Pufferfish originally got their name from their defense mechanism of sucking in water and air into their bodies to erect small, sharp spines. Pufferfish are tropical fish that live in warm waters typically near coral reefs. Some relatives are the boxfish, trunkfish, and the coufish. Bright colors on these fish can also serve as a warning call to other creatures because they know that it is poisonous. Over time puffer fish and their relatives have adapted and evolved in order to protect themselves.
When the Pufferfish is threatened it can use one of its multiple defense mechanisms. One of these include when pufferfish is threatened ,“they arch their backs, revealing a telltale red belly, blow up with water and puff out their spines” (Furlow 2). This acts as armor and weapons against the predator for the pufferfish. Threatened puffers use their small erect spines as a defense mechanism against predators. This is important to my topic because it means that pufferfish have adapted over the years to protect themselves from hunting of humans, and other animals. They also have other defense mechanisms these include “The guarantee against would-be predators: [it’s body consists of] poisonous flesh” …show more content…
Pufferfish have evolved and adapted overtime to protect themselves from predators and hunters. They have done this by “Developing a hard shell - like exterior or outer covering that approximates a exoskeleton” (Cousteau 68), which protects them in attack while also giving them physical support to their body. They have adapted to protect themselves from predators and hunting making them the predators. This is also very important to my topic because it can help better understand the puffer’s body. They can better protect themselves in nature and become a more evolved species of

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