ExploreFish

Southern Stingray

Dasyatis americana

Southern Stingrays have flat bodies and long tails! They like to hide in the sand and can be found in warm waters.

Habitat: Shallow coastal waters

Appearance

The Southern Stingray has a distinctive flat, diamond-shaped body, typically brown or gray on top for camouflage, with a pale underside. Its long, whip-like tail, which is often longer than its body, contains a sharp, venomous barb, making it visually unique among its bottom-dwelling neighbors.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassElasmobranchiiOrderMyliobatiformesFamilyDasyatidaeGenusHypanus

Southern Stingray

Interesting facts

Female stingrays give birth to live, fully formed young, not eggs, after a long pregnancy!

Southern Stingrays can sometimes be seen 'stacking' on top of each other in piles to rest.

They are relatives of sharks, both having skeletons made of flexible cartilage instead of bone!

They flap their large, wing-like fins to glide gracefully through the water, looking like flying carpets.

Special abilities

Southern Stingrays can quickly bury themselves in sand using their fins, helping them hide from predators or ambush prey.

Southern Stingrays have special organs called ampullae of Lorenzini that help them detect the tiny electric fields of hidden prey.

Southern Stingrays have a sharp, venomous barb on their whip-like tail that helps them defend against threats.

Measurements & details

Length: 30-100 cm
Weight: 10-90 kg
Lifespan: 10-20 years
Swim Speed: 8 km/h
Max Depth: 60 m
Water Type: Saltwater

Diet & Feeding

Southern Stingrays are bottom-feeding hunters, expertly digging up tasty crustaceans and small fish from the seafloor.

Primary Foods

Shrimp
Crabs
Clams
Marine Worms
Small Fish

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

Tiger Shark

Galeocerdo cuvier

Main predator of larger stingrays.

eaten by

Bull Shark

Carcharhinus leucas

Preys on stingrays in coastal waters.

eats

Blue Crab

Callinectes sapidus

A common prey item for stingrays.

eats

Brown Shrimp

Penaeus aztecus

Often consumed by stingrays in their habitat.

Traits

Wildlife

Step into the incredible world of wild animals and plants living freely in nature. From tiny insects to towering trees, it's all part of the wild wonders around us!

Solitary

Meet animals that enjoy their independence! These creatures prefer to live by themselves, finding food and shelter on their own.

Camouflaged

Look closely for animals that are masters of disguise, blending perfectly into their surroundings! Their colors and patterns help them hide from others.

Piscivorous

Discover amazing animals that love to eat fish! They're like expert underwater hunters, always on the lookout for a tasty meal from the rivers, lakes, and oceans.

Coastal

Discover life found along the edges where land meets the sea! These habitats are always changing with the tides and waves, offering unique environments.

Electrogenic

Uncover amazing creatures that can generate their own electricity, using this power for defense, communication, or even to stun prey. Nature's living batteries!

Aquatic

Discover amazing creatures that call water their home, whether it's oceans, rivers, or lakes! These habitats are full of incredible life.

Venomous

Be amazed by animals that can inject special substances to defend themselves or catch their food! They deliver their potent dose through a bite or a sting.