From slim and elegant to an inflated ball of spines in under a second - our printable puffer fish mask celebrates one of the ocean's most dramatic defence strategies! The puffer fish is one of the most recognisable and fascinating reef fish in the world, and this mask captures that wonderfully round, spiky, wide-eyed look perfectly. Perfect for ocean school plays, sea creatures classroom projects, World Book Day, birthday parties, and inflated imaginative adventures.

The puffer fish is a brilliant subject for animal adaptations and defence mechanisms - its transformation from normal fish to spiky ball is one of the most dramatic in the animal kingdom, and the chemistry behind its toxin is genuinely extraordinary. Every mask comes with a full colour version AND a black and white line art version for colouring in.

5 Interesting Facts About Puffer Fish!

Puffer fish are the second most poisonous vertebrate on Earth - their organs contain tetrodotoxin, a toxin 1,200 times more lethal than cyanide for which there is no antidote. A single fish contains enough to kill 30 adult humans.
They inflate by rapidly swallowing water - muscles around their stomach can hold up to three times the fish's normal volume, transforming a streamlined fish into an unwieldy but extremely unpalatable ball.
Despite the toxin, puffer fish is a prized delicacy in Japan - called fugu, it must be prepared by licensed chefs who carefully remove the toxic organs. Around 30 people die from fugu poisoning each year.
Puffer fish create elaborate circular patterns on the seafloor - males spend days using their fins and body to sculpt intricate geometric designs in the sand to attract females. The patterns can be up to 2 metres across.
Their teeth never stop growing - four teeth fused into a beak-like structure that they use to crush hard-shelled prey. Without regular wear from feeding, the teeth would eventually prevent them from eating.

Printable Puffer Fish Mask

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