Gymnodont

/ˈɡɪmnoʊdɑːnt/ noun

Definition

A fish belonging to the family Tetraodontidae, characterized by fused jaw teeth that form a hard beak, like pufferfish and boxfish.

Etymology

From Greek 'gymnos' (naked) + 'odous' (tooth). Despite the name meaning 'naked tooth,' these fish actually have distinctive fused teeth forming continuous cutting plates.

Kelly Says

Gymnodont fish like pufferfish can inflate themselves to enormous sizes when threatened, and some species produce tetrodotoxin—one of the deadliest poisons on Earth, thousands of times more potent than cyanide!

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