Curious pufferfish is adorable but extremely deadly to predators

Pufferfish are strange and fascinating creatures. They have enormous faces with huge, bulging eyes. Their mouths are almost human in appearance. They have a baby faced look that is very endearing.

Clumsy swimmers, they are not swift enough to flee from predators easily. Despite this, they are still perfectly adapted for defending themselves in what can be a very hostile world. Pufferfish are extremely toxic when eaten, containing enough poison in their organs to kill thirty grown men. Even the slime on their skin has some toxin, making them dangerous to touch. They are capable of inflating themselves with water or air, making them much too large for a predator to swallow. When threatened, they will balloon up to many times their size. When they inflate, sharp spines protrude, causing even more difficulty for any creature trying to eat them. Despite their cherub face and gentle look, they also possess sharp teeth and a powerful bite. If provoked, they are capable of biting off a finger of a human.

This adorable little fellow was swimming around the crevices on a coral head in Belize when he spotted a shiny underwater camera that was held motionless. He decided to approach and gaze right into the camera to see what it was all about. Inquisitive and unconcerned with the diver, he provided quite a show and some very interesting closeup footage.