The pike looks like just another large sleek fish in the lake-until it opens its mouth. This fish is equipped with sharp teeth that are more than an inch long, and powerful jaws that stab them deep into victims-even people. Sometimes called the freshwater shark, this ambush hunter usually hides among plants, swimming out at top speed when it sees potential prey.
Backward Trap: The pike has unusually long, sharp teeth for a freshwater fish. These dagger-like weapons slant backward in the predator's mouth. The pike usually attacks prey from the side, and its teeth prevent the victim from wiggling free.
Speed Burst: This fish is a speed champion. The pike's powerful tail gives it a sudden burst of speed, and the two fins just in front of the tail flap furiously to give the fish added thrust when chasing prey over short distances.
Plant Lover[]
The pike hunts by sight and waits in the weeds for unwary victims.
A pike doesn't eat plants, but it wouldn't be able to survive quite so well without them. The female lays her eggs among floating weeds to conceal them from predators. As a young pike grows, it learns to hunt by hiding among the floating plants and launching an ambush at passing prey. When the fish matures, it swims a little deeper, but still keeps itself camouflaged among underwater plants. The pike's green, spotted skin blends in with this background, allowing it to launch surprise attacks on fish and frogs.
Hard to Swallow: Pikes are greedy hunters, and sometimes eat up other pikes. However, these fish can bite off more than they can chew, and end up choking to death on big meals.
Fish of Legend: Many stories of huge, vicious pike are told among fishermen. One legend tells of a 20-foot pike caught in Germany in the year 1497. This fish wore a ring around its neck, supposedly put there by Emperor Frederick II 270 years earlier.
No Dogs Allowed[]
- Out playing fetch with her dog, a woman wades into the weeds growing from the shallows and throws a stick into the water, which the dog immediately chases after.
- Jumping in the water with a loud splash, the dog attracts the attention of a large pike. The dog suddenly feels a sharp pain in its legs as the fish stabs it with its long teeth.
- The woman watches helplessly as the dog tries to free itself from the pike's mighty grip. The dog is too much for the pike, but it comes away with nasty wounds.
Trading Card[]
Trivia[]
- The pike is featured in Big Fish on Monster Mania 39.