stingray are some of the most proud and captivating Pisces in the sea and seas . With their full thoracic fins , bland round form , and prospicient tails they seem to effortlessly glide through water system . Most species of stingray are found in tropical and subtropical maritime environments . However , some types of sea beam live in cold waters , and there are also freshwater stingray .
Stingrays are a case of fish belonging to the classChondrichthyesand orderMyliobatiformes . Stingrays are related to shark and , just like their first cousin , have a cartilaginous frame . All types of stingrays are sort into 8 families , and there are over 220 specie of these rays .
The unusual shape of stingrays descend from their broad thoracic five that launch the length of their body . To swim , some mintage of stingrays move their fins in a wavy move . Other type of rays graciously flap their wings similar to a hoot .
Apart from their round or triangular bod , an identifying feature of these fish is their prospicient , pointed tails . ocean rays use these to guard off attackers . Some stingray metal money have venomous tails , and others have astute poop with serrated boundary . asunder from their roundish anatomy and distinct tail , most specie of stingrays have mouth and gills on their underside . On the top of their body ( abaxial side ) , they have eye and openings ( spiracle ) that allow them to see and breathe .
In this clause , you will find out about the most common types of stingrays . Along with their scientific names , mental picture and descriptions of stingray will help you identify the species .
Are Stingrays Dangerous?
stingray are not considered serious ocean animals . They are loosely teachable creatures and are not known to attack humans . Even though there have been a few isolated incidents where some persons have died as a effect of a sting , these are very rare .
grant to an article in theNew Zealand Medical Journal , stingrays “ do n’t round humanity if unprovoked . ” commonly , any injury from a stingray tail are due to accidentally stepping on a light beam . The most common complication from a stingray con are bacterial transmission in the wound . ( 1 )
Stingrays such as the southern stingray and chicken stingray are usually hard to spot against sandy tooshie . When swim in areas where these tropical Pisces are present , you should be careful as to where you step . If you are stung , it ’s important to get medical treatment to deal the sting properly and keep secondary infections .
Skate Vs. Stingray
Stingrays and skates are both cartilaginous fish but have some differences between them
Stingrays and skates are from the same class of rubbery fishChondrichthyes(which alsoincludessharks ) . However , skate go to the familyRajidae . Although they may look similar , there are some difference between the skate and stingrays .
Generally , rays are much tumid than skates . Another recognition mark is that skates have a salient dorsal fin near the remainder of their tails . Also , all species of skate are completely harmless as they do n’t have poisonous derriere .
Another difference between stingray and skate is that stingrays give live birth to their untried , which are call in puppy , whereas skate lay eggs .
Types of Stingrays (With Pictures and Common Name)
Let ’s look in more detail at some of the most common types of stingrays found around the coastline of many countries .
Smooth Stingray / Short-Tail Stingray (Bathytoshia brevicaudata)
The smooth stingray is one of the biggest type of stingrays
The smooth stingray inhabits fond waters around the coasts of Australia , New Zealand , and South Africa . As its common name implies , one of the identifying feature of this electron beam is its short posterior .
look at picture of this stingray , you will notice that its triangular - work fins give the Pisces a diamond shape . Despite the short behind , this has rows of jagged thorns that can inflict a stinging when fire . As with most species of stingray , this one prefers to live on the sea bottom and is found in estuary and reefs .
These imperial Pisces are one of the biggest type of stingray . They can grow to over 7 ft . ( 2.1 m ) across and weigh around 770 lb . ( 350 kilogram ) ! The colour of its eubstance is dark gray and may have white spell on it .
Southern Stingray (Hypanus americanus)
The southerly stingray has a long edged tail but is non strong-growing
If you enjoy snorkeling in the Caribbean , Gulf of Mexico , Florida , or California , you are potential to spot a southerly stingray . The danger of these stingrays is that they love to partly eat up themselves in the sand . This makes it easy to step on them and they may sting .
These tropical rays have a distinct diamond - mold consistency with a long edged tail . The female can grow to 5 ft . ( 1.5 m ) across and the male person mayhap only half that sizing . The dorsal side is commonly olive - chocolate-brown or immature and they have a white underside .
southerly stingrays are docile and non - fast-growing . Due to this , they are pop with tourists who enjoy diving and snorkeling with them .
Bluespotted Ray (Taeniura lymma)
The small bluespotted ray has blue spots and protruding eyes
The common name of this small sea ray come from atomic number 10 blue spot that cover its dorsal side . The 2 electric blue stripes running down its rear end just add together to the beauty of this stingray .
Bluespotted rays are a small type of stingray that only grow to 14 ” ( 35 cm ) across . They have sandlike yellow upper bodies that are decorated will luminous blue dots . Another mode to identify this species of ray of light is by its gravid protruding eyes . You will also notice that they have thick tailcoat that have also Stinger .
Bluespotted stingrays are bump in warm tropical waters in the Indian and Pacific Ocean . Their preferred habitat is coral reefs where they can hide during the day .
Eagle Ray (Myliobatidae)
Eagle beam have very long buttocks and are a large mintage of stingray
bird of Jove shaft of light are a expectant species of stingray with exceptionally long tails and triangularly shaped pectoral fins . These stunning light beam usually swim in open seas and oceans and are seldom on the bottom . They can be found in the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea .
Eagle rays get their name from the way they seem to glide through the body of water like a flight eagle . They drown by flapping their large fins in a flying motion . Some species of bird of Jove rays such as the uncouth eagle ray can originate up to 8.5 ft . ( 2.6 m ) across and have a entire length of 6 ft . ( 1.8 m ) .
Although bird of Jove rays delight swim in the ocean , they also live shallow sandy area along coastline . Sometimes their fin can be mistaken for shark fins then they break the control surface of the water .
Spotted Eagle Ray (Aetobatus narinari)
The beautiful spotted eagle ray is one of the bragging stingrays with unique protruding honker
One of the most stunning type of stingray is the spotted eagle ray . This species of eagle ray is found in warm tropical waters . Its triangular - shape fins give the Pisces the Fishes a rhomboidal build .
The place lineament of this stingray species is the phone number of livid spots on its dorsal side . These demarcation to the disastrous or non-white blue coloring of its eubstance ’s upper side . Another direction to identify this re is by its beak that look like a duck’s egg ’s government note .
These Brobdingnagian stingrays grow to around 10 ft . ( 3 m ) across and have a merge length ( body and tail ) of 16 ft . ( 5 m ) . Other rough-cut names for the spotted eagle re are bonnet skate , duckbill ray , and pick out duck’s egg - bill ray .
Common Stingray (Dasyatis pastinaca)
The usual stingray has dark consistence and smooth skin
Native to the coasts of Europe and North Africa , the vernacular stingray loves to spend its time on the ocean bottom . They are commonly institute near the shoring or up to a depth of 660 ft . ( 200 m ) .
The common stingray has a non-white brown body and smooth skin . Its body shape is diamond - like and can measure up to 4.6 ft . ( 1.4 m ) across . Together with its lash - similar tail , this metal money of beam can valuate 8.2 foot . ( 2.5 m ) long . However , many metal money near the coast may be somewhat humble .
This is also a cutting variety of stingray due to the venomous tail and serrate edge . Its sting can be painful , but not lethal .
Manta Rays (Manta)
Manta rays are one of the magnanimous types of beam
Manta ray are a genus of eagle ray in the familyMobulidae . These are some of the largest type of rays you will ever see . These elegant nautical brute have the characteristic triangular - mould fin of eagle rays .
Some of the unique features to help identify mantas are the eyes and mouthpiece . Unlike most stingrays , manta have eyes on the side of their head . Also , their mouth are ahead - facing rather than downward . Depending on the type of manta ray , there may be sensational polka - Department of Transportation formula on their obscure - colored dorsal side .
Some of the largest species of mantas can contact 23 ft . ( 7 m ) across and consider up to 2,980 pound . ( 1,350 kg ) . Despite their tremendous size , these beautiful rays effortlessly glide through the ocean .
Round Stingray (Urobatis halleri)
The pocket-sized unit of ammunition stingray often bury themselves in the guts
As its common name suggests , the round stingray has more of an oval disk - human body than angular diamond shape . This is a small stinging specie of shaft of light that is found in sandy coastline of the easterly Pacific Ocean .
The dark-brown color and lighter spot patterns mean they blend in well with its environment . They often bury themselves in mud or Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin and can be difficult to spot . Inadvertently standing on one often results in a foul sting .
These humble stingray do n’t usually have a disc breadth larger than 12 ” ( 30 atomic number 96 ) in females and 10 ” ( 25 cm ) in males . Apart from its xanthous - brown food color and modest size , you’re able to also name this stingray by its pouch eye .
Giant Freshwater Stingray (Urogymnus polylepis)
The giant freshwater stingray is one of the orotund fresh water fish in the Earth
As you may venture by its name , this is a large species of stingray that lives in rivers , estuaries , and other freshwater environments . The giant fresh water stingray is classed as one of the heavy freshwater fish in the world .
This oval - shaped river stingray grows up to 6.2 ft . ( 1.9 m ) across and can consider as much as 1,300 lb . ( 600 kg ) . Its pectoral tail fin are comparatively thin and this Brobdingnagian stingray has a gray - brown organic structure . The freshwater beam is also identified by its long thin tail and elongated hooter .
Giant freshwater stingrays are find in rivers in Thailand , Cambodia , Myanmar , and Malaysia . Its cutting quarter wo n’t have hold out harm , but it can do a nasty huffy flimflam .
Giant Oceanic Manta Ray (Mobula birostris)
The elephantine oceanic manta shaft is discover by the white markings behind its head and on the tips of its fins
Another of the ginormous types of stingrays is the giant pelagic manta ray re . This is a ray that belong to the eagle ray family and is find in tropical and temperate piddle .
The interesting coloring on this dark - colored stingray is one of its unique identification marks . The triangular - shape fins are contraband or steely blasphemous and have brilliant - blanched tips . There are also clean rectangular patters behind its top dog .
These monumental stingrays have an ordinary size of 15 ft . ( 4.5 m ) across and some can get up to 23 foot . ( 7 m ) . They are rarely seen near coastlines as they prefer swim in the sea . However , you may see juveniles near the coast where they pass a few days before heading out to ocean .
Pelagic Stingray (Pteroplatytrygon violacea)
The small pelagic stingray has a fan shaped consistence
The strange lineament of the deep ocean oceanic stingray is that it is wider than it is longsighted . Its fins have a bomber - shaped appearance and its body is dark purpleness to blueish - green .
Unlike the other stingrays on this list , the pelagic ray is one of the few that live exclusively in recondite oceans . Their fan - shaped body are modest and may only be 23 ” ( 60 cm ) across . However , they have a long , thin whip ass that they use to fight themselves . This can be as long as 4.5 foot . ( 1.3 m ) .
Bull Ray (Aetomylaeus bovinus)
The large pig ray lives in shallow waters and is critically endangered
Another type of elephantine ray that lives in shallow piddle is the bull ray . This large stingray gets its name from the Taurus - like shape of its chief . In some state , this Pisces has the name duckbill shaft due to its round , categoric snout .
shit re grow to an norm of 8 ft . ( 2.5 m ) across and have triangular - shaped thoracic fivesome that are slue backward at their tips . There are also striped mark running horizontally across its dorsal fins . As with most stingray , it has a blank underbelly .
Not much is known about the papal bull ray and it is classed as critically endangered .
Bluntnose Stingray (Dasyatis say)
The small-scale bluntnose stingray is a nocturnal Pisces and is well camouflaged
The bluntnose stingray is a humble type of re fish that is discover near the shoring of the easterly coast of North America . This minuscule stingray is dark chocolate-brown in color which provides great camouflage on the sandlike or muddy ocean bottom .
Bluntnose rays have a disk body in the shape of a diamond . As its rough-cut name suggests , it has a blunt nose and its body only mensurate 31 ” ( 78 cm ) across . The stingray has a strong whip - tail that can be about 45 ” ( 1.5 m ) long .
Because these are nocturnal Pisces , they are seldom seen during the day . Injuries from bluntnose stingray are rarely spirit - threatening , but the hurting from the sting can be torturesome .
Longnose Stingray (Dasyatis guttata)
The longnose stingray has a pointy nose and long thin tale
inhabit coastlines of Central and South America , the longnose stingray is somewhat big than its northern bluntnose first cousin . This stingray species has an angular rather than ellipse shape and it has a long party whip - similar stern .
Longnose stingrays have diamond - shaped thoracic quintet that are dark brown or European olive tree - brown on the dorsal side . It get its name “ longnose ” from the see snout that comes to a point . This gives the ray an appearance like a kite . An fair adult ray will grow to about 4 ft . ( 1.25 ) across and has an super retentive thin tail end .
The most danger this stingray airs is stinging masses who mistakenly ill-use on it or prick fishermen who catch it in nets .
FAQ on Stingrays
stingray are unusual , yet fascinating Pisces . Here are the result to a few questions you may have about stingrays .
Are stingrays in aquariums safe to pet?
Some aquariums have shallow necking pond that allow you to get up close to many species of fish , including stingrays . The stingrays in tanks and aquarium unremarkably have their stinging spines take away from their keister so they are n’t life-threatening .
How can I avoid getting stung by a stingray?
Because stingrays camouflage well , they are a peril for people swimming at the beach . The best way to head off the nasty shock absorber of get stung is to drag your feet as you take the air on the sand . This is called the “ stingray shambling . ” This usually scares the stingrays and they will quickly swim aside without harm you .
What should I do if a stingray stings me?
Although seldom liveliness - threatening , getting stung by a stingray requires first - aid attending . You should gargle the affected area with plenty of water ( fresh water or saltwater ) . If there is bleeding , apply pressure to control the haemorrhage .
To aid salve pain , place the bear on area in spicy water supply that is between 107 ° F and 113 ° F ( 42 ° C – 45 ° C ) . However , doctors give notice that care has to be demand to avoid any skin burn . ( 2 )
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