IDENTIFICATION
IDENTIFICATION
Color brownish to yellowish brown dorsally and whitish ventrally. Disc corners rounded. Disc width nearly equal to disc length. Snout pointed and projecting. Spine near base of long whip like tail. Low dorsal and ventral fin folds on tail which are brown/dusky in color.
SIZE AND AGE
SIZE AND AGE
One of the smaller ray species. Wingspan of up to 2 feet (60 cm). Overall length can reach 3.6 feet (1 m), weight about 11 lbs ((5 kg). They live approximately 9 years.
DISTRIBUTION & HABITAT
DISTRIBUTION & HABITAT
Found in the western Atlantic Ocean from Chesapeake Bay to the Gulf of Mexico. Inhabits coastal waters, including estuaries, lagoons and sometimes rivers.
FEEDING
FEEDING
Feeds on benthic invertebrates, polychaete worms, small crustaceans, shrimp, crabs, mollusks, small fishes.
REPRODUCTION
REPRODUCTION
Aplacental viviparity (fertilized stingray eggs remain in the mother’s uterus, ingesting their yolk sacs. Once the embryos have fully consumed their yolk sacs, the embryos are nourished by ‘uterine milk’, secreted by the mother. Gestation is 4 to 4.5 months. One to four pups per litter.
HUMAN FACTORS
HUMAN FACTORS
Non-aggressive species of little danger to humans with the exception of their defensive venomous barb located near the base of the tail. Avoid handling or exercise extreme caution. Do the “Stingray shuffle”, drag your feet while walking in shallow sandy bottom waters.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: The information contained in this document was gathered from various sources, including Florida Ray Identification Guide.