Puffer

Range: Tropical and temperate waters worldwide
Habitat: Oceans, coral reefs, estuaries (marine species); rivers, lakes (freshwater species)
Conservation Status: Not listed by IUCN
Scientific Name: Family: Tetraodontidae

The many kinds of puffers share the same amazing ability: they scare their enemies by puffing up into a round ball. The fish normally do this by swallowing water, but if they're snatched out of the water, they can also inflate by swallowing air. Most puffers also have spines that stick out when the fish puff up, making these living "pincushions" even harder to attack. As if this weren't enough, puffers have one last defense: their skin and organs are poisonous!

Puffers swim by rapidly moving their small fins, using the tail as a rudder. They usually feed on the ocean or river bottom, eating a variety of shrimps, crabs, snails, worms and urchins.

While most puffer species are faring well in the wild, at least two species are considered threatened.