The Atlantic Stingray are cartilaginous marine fishes related to skates and sharks. Their longevity is 6-12 years. Males average disc width of about 10 inches. Females average disc width of about 12-13 inches. Maximum adult weight may reach up to 10 lbs. They can reach a length of about 35 inches. They can range from as far north as the Chesapeake Bay to Southern Florida and around the Gulf of Mexico and as far south as Central America.
They have an elongated snout and their head is slightly elevated so the stingray can take in water while lying on the seabed.
Atlantic Stingrays are common in shallow water off the coast to depths up to 70 feet. Younger stingrays may also seek shelter in the shallow waters that surround mangroves. They prefer warm coastal and estuarine waters that are above 59 degrees and they can endure temperatures above 86 degrees. Believe it or not, the Tampa Bay waters and the Gulf of Mexico on the Western Coast of Florida can reach 86 degrees and can be as warm as 95 degrees.
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View A Close-up Of An Atlantic Stingray
View A Photo Of An Atlantic Stingray In Turtle Grass
View A Photo Of An Atlantic Stingray On The Sea Floor
View A Photo Of An Atlantic Stingray Looking For Food
View A Photo Of An Atlantic Stingray Resting
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Atlantic Stingrays can maintain adequate physiological functions at varying degrees of salinity. There are stingrays that are found in the St. Johns River system, in Florida, that represent the only permanent fresh water population in North America. They prefer sandy bottoms and grassy sea beds. They will bury themselves in sand to hide and to blend in with their surroundings. They can be found alone or in small groups or schools.
Atlantic Stingrays give birth to live young and they can have a litter size from 1 to 4 pups. They give birth in the mid to late summer.
Atlantic Stingrays feed on a variety of bottom dwelling organisms. They jet water into the sand to expose their prey. They feed on shrimp, small crabs, small fish and even clams and sea scallops. They have rows of sensory cells called "Ampullae of Lorenzini" that are able to detect weak electric fields generated by prey items. The stingray can use these sensors to locate prey that's even buried in the sand. The male stingrays may use this sense to locate buried female stingrays during their mating season.
Atlantic Stingrays will normally flee from swimmers and divers. Sometimes they will lash their tail vigorously if stepped on or grabbed. They may also warn you by lashing their tail when you first step into the shallow water. You may also see them whip their tail up and towards their head like the motion of what a scorpion would do. Step back and away from them and wait for them to swim by before you step back into the water.
The spines in their tails can cause very painful wounds that can also be dangerous because of people getting secondary infections in the wounded area. The spines in the Stingrays tail are thought to be modified scales with the females having longer tail spines than the males.
That's why we say down here in Florida "Don't forget to do the Stingray Shuffle."
Article Written By Dawn La Follette