Dangerous Creatures: Porcupine Fish

(Warm coastal waters worldwide, primarily coral reefs)

   Spikes are grown by many underwater creatures. Even starfish.
   The porcupine fish isn’t the only prickly creature. Ever since the dinosaurs, spikes have protected animals.
   Looks aren’t everything! Boxfish, like the porcupine fish, are equipped to take care of themselves.
   You can suck in water to make yourself hard to eat. But then, swimming can be difficult.
   A plateful of pufferfish might be a delicacy. Or it might just be your last meal!
   Video: Most of the time, a porcupine fish is a sleek swimmer. But when it feels threatened, it puffs up into a spiky ball. When the threat disappears, the fish deflates so it can swim again.
   Advice: Don’t try to make a porcupine fish into a pet. It won’t thank you. And don’t try to eat a pufferfish, either. That meal could be your last.

Next: If a porcupine fish is attacked by a predator, it puffs itself up. A cane toad also uses this trick.