Long-spine porcupinefish (Diodon holocanthus). X-ray of a section through an inflated long-spine porcupinefish, showing the spines (thin, white) that

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Long-spine porcupinefish (Diodon holocanthus). X-ray of a section through an inflated long-spine porcupinefish, showing the spines (thin, white) that surround its body. To ward off predators porcupinefish inflate their body by pumping water into their stomach. The body becomes a round rigid ball bristling with spines. When the fish is relaxed the spines lie flat against the body. This specimen measures 9 centimetres in length.

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Size: 3444px × 2542px
Photo credit: © Sandra J. Raredon, National Museum of Natural History, SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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