Stingrays, dasyatis centroura, are a type of fish that is believed to be closely related to sharks. Depending on the species, they can measure anywhere from 1.6 to 6.5 feet (0.4 to 2 meters) and weigh 55 to 790 pounds (25 to 350 kilograms). They have flat bodies that are composed of pectoral fins that are joined at their heads and trunks. Stingrays are most known for their infamous tails, which has a large stinger at the end. Their mouths, nostrils and gill slits are all located on their undersides.
Stingrays can be found in warmer waters all around the world. They spend the majority of their time at the bottom of the sea, hunting for food. Their color usually matches that of their environment in order to avoid predators. When stingrays do move, most of them undulate their bodies like a wave, while others will flap their sides like wings. They may even use their tails to help maneuver through the water.
Stingrays are carnivorous creatures, and therefore only eat other animals. They will eat a variety of aquatic critters like clams, mollusks, oysters, snails and some species of fish. They place themselves at the bottom of sea and cover themselves with sand to patiently wait for prey to pass by. Like sharks, stingrays have special electrical sensors (called ampullae of Lorenzini) that allow them to detect the electrical charges of a potential meal. They will then emerge and pierce their victim with their stingers before it can get away. Many rays have jaw teeth that they use to crush oysters, mussels and clams. Stingrays have a few natural predators to look out for such as sharks, sea lions, seals and large carnivorous fish. If they are in danger, they will defend themselves with their poisonous tails.
Breeding season for stingrays takes place during the winter. Baby stingrays will develop inside the mother for about 9 months. During this time, the babies absorb nutrients from a yolk sac. Once this has run out, they are fed milk inside the uterus of their mother. Females will give birth to a litter of anywhere from 5 to 15 live young. These baby stingrays are able to both swim and hunt as soon as they arrive in the world.
Stingrays are generally a docile species and don’t go out to attack humans. The only time they will sting people is if they are accidentally stepped on, which can occur often as they have excellent camouflage. A sting from a stingray will cause pain, swelling, muscle cramps as well as a possible bacterial infection. They are rarely fatal, unless they happen to strike a vital part of the human body. Hopefully, stingrays can continue to live their peaceful lives without facing the threat of extinction. After all, such a unique species of fish deserves to live for many years to come.
