Stingrays
By: Isabella Norton
Date: December 1, 2012
Stingrays
Adaptations
Stingrays have adapted to their environment by being able to camouflage from their
prey. The shape of their bodies allows them to glide in water and hide in the sand for a
long time. Also, stingrays have eyes on the top of their bodies. This allows them to see
their prey while they are in the sand. Stingrays like fish breathe underwater. However,
stingrays have a special opening behind their eyes called a spiracle. This opening allows
water into their bodies and exit through their gills. This process allows stingrays to eat and
breathe at the same time. Lastly, the stingray’s tail is used as a weapon to defend itself. If
threatened, stingrays inject poison into the enemy using their tail.
Habitat
Stingrays live in many of the oceans around the worlds such as the Black Sea,
Mediterranean and the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Usually, stingrays are found in shallow
sandy waters where most people see them in the wild. In California the bat and Round
stingray can be found up and down the coast of the Pacific Ocean .The Bat Ray is more
common in Northern California and the Round stingray is more visible in Southern & Baja
California.
Appearance
The stingray is usually a shade of grey or beige like the ocean floor. They have a
smooth body with their eyes on top and their mouths underneath. Their tail can grow as
long as 35cm. Some species have more than 1 stinger, while some others have none. Their
total body length can be as long as 6.5 ft. and they can weigh as much as 790 pounds.
Diet
Stingrays are known to be carnivores. They use electrical sensors on the body to find
their prey and attack it. Many stingray species have jaws and rows of teeth that allow them
to eat shellfish like clams, oysters and muscles. Stingrays also have a diet that includes
worms, shrimp, crabs and squid.
Something Special
Although not very popular or common, stingrays can be eaten. In Korea, fermented
stingray is known to be a delicacy. The body is the only part that can be eaten. The tail and
poison sacs are thrown away, since they could be deadly.
Bibliography
Author Unknown, “5 Crazy, Weird, Bizarre Korean Foods for the Brave.”[Online]Available
http://seoulistic.com/korean-food/5-crazy-weird-bizarre-korean-foods-for-brave November 30,2012.
Author Unknown, “Marine Sportfish Identification: Rays.”[Online]Available
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/mspcont6.asp December 1, 2012.
Author Unknown, “Stingrays.”[Online]Available
http://www.miamisci.org/oceans/coralreef/predators/8stingray.html December 1, 2012.
Author Unknown, “Wild Animals A-Z, Fish, Stingrays.”[Online]Available
http://animal.discovery.com/fish/stingray December 1, 2012.
Piercy. Andrew. “How Fish Use Adaptations.”[Online]Available
http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/education/adapt/adapt.htm December 1, 2012.