Southern stingray

Natural history

Feeding constantly during the day and night, a stingray slowly grazes over the sandy seafloor. Since its eyes are on top of its body, it depends on electro-receptors and a keen sense of smell and touch to find food. To uncover buried prey, a stingray forces jet streams of water through its mouths or flop its fins over the sand. If it finds a clam, the ray’s serrated teeth plates are strong enough to easily crush the shell. Then it spits out the fragments.

Conservation

The southern stingray is plentiful, but at least nine other species of stingrays are at a high risk for extinction. Many people in Polynesia, Malaysia, Central America and Africa value the stingray as a main source of protein. Stingray skin is processed into leather that's strong, durable and almost indestructible. At one time, craftspeople used stingray spines to make spears, knives, and other useful tools.

Since there's no data or restrictions on stingray catches, the Ocean Conservancy warns that a sudden surge in demand for stingray leather and food could seriously threaten several stingray populations.

Cool facts

• The southern stingray visits “cleaning stations” where bluehead wrasses and Spanish hogfish eat parasites and mucus from the stingray’s body. Atlantic stingrays can be found in singles, pairs, and sometimes in large aggregations.
• If you travel to stingray habitats, like the Cayman Islands, remember to shuffle your feet through the sand when you're wading—this shy animal will simply swim out of the way. Never try to touch or harass a stingray or other ocean animals. By being respectful of the stingray’s life and home, you'll help protect populations for the future.
• Although the southern stingray isn’t aggressive, it has venomous spines with serrated barbs on the base of its tail. The spines are only used for defense, but if threatened or stepped on, a ray raises its tail overhead, scorpion-style, and drives its spine into the intruder. For humans, the pain is intense, and the jagged wound takes time to heal.