![]() A diver is unlikely to be stung by a stingray unless the stingray feels threatened. Thankfully, stingrays only sting out of self-defense. Most stingrays' tails have venom glands, which inject an incredibly painful toxin when the sting is used. They are easily identified by their elongated, thin tails with barbed stings. Stingrays are probably the most recognized type of ray. At best, you will frighten it away, but you could receive a nasty sting or painful electric shock, or worse. Rays are not aggressive toward divers, but you should never touch a ray. While all rays have flattened bodies, they vary by body shape (round, diamond, or triangular), their method of swimming, the thickness of their tails, and the presence of stings or barbs. You can identify rays by their shape and behavior. Rays are either bottom feeders or filter feeders, rooting for crustaceans and mollusks buried in the sand or using a sieve-like filter to strain plankton from the water. Most rays swim using their pectoral fins, either by moving them in an elegant, wave-like motion or by flapping them like a bird. All rays have a flattened shape, with large, rounded pectoral fins fused to their bodies and heads. Rays are fish, and they are similar to sharks in that their bodies are supported with cartilage instead of bone. The name ‘Manta’ means ‘blanket’ because this creature resembles a blanket as it moves around in the water.A wide variety of rays inhabit the oceans and even some bodies of fresh water.Ironically, it is the sharks who love to eat them the most! Relations have no value for certain creatures!! ![]() Manta rays are closely related to sharks.Manta rays lose their protective mucous membrane when touched by humans.Whoa! That is quite a lot! 3 Interesting facts about manta rays ![]() They may measure up to 29 feet in width and weigh as good as 1300 kgs. They are graceful swimmers and can display interesting acrobatic tricks in the water. Despite of being nicknamed as ‘devilrays’ and ‘devilfish’ and ‘giant manta’, they are harmless and do not have any stinging spine. Manta rays are the largest rays and closely related to the stingrays. They have special electro-sensors that detect electrical charges emitted from the body of a nearby potential prey, and tell them about the location of the prey. Stingrays do not use their eyes to find prey.Ancient Greek people used the stingray venom as an anaesthetic.In the past, peoples used the spines of sting rays to make weapons like daggers.If you look at stingrays from the bottom, it seems as if they are smiling.Stingrays have a unique diamond-shaped body.When stingrays move their big fins up and down to move ahead in water, it seems they are flying like birds!.Stingrays do not have any bones! Their bodies are made up of cartilage, the same material that our ears and nose are made up of. ![]() Unfortunately, in Steve’s case, the stinger had pierced his heart which took his life. It was a stingray that was responsible for his death! Human deaths caused by stingray venom are extremely rare, because though the venom results in excruciating pain, it is not usually fatal. Ouch! Are stingrays poisonous to humans?įamous wildlife expert Steve Irwin, who was known for handling and studying some of the most dangerous animals on the planet, was killed in a freak accident under the water in 2006. Whenever a stingray is scared or feels threatened, it uses its tail to ‘poke’ its enemy. Contrary to their notorious reputation of attacking humans, they use their stings only to defend themselves. Stingrays are shy creatures and they spend most of their time hiding on the ocean floor. Stingrays are carnivorous and feast on small crabs, mollusks, snails, oysters and clams. Stingrays come in various sizes they may be as small as a few inches or up to 5 to 7 feet long. ![]() Stingrays thrive in shallow waters and warm climate and are found around the globe. There are around 70 species of stingrays in the world. Stingrays are unique fish that are infamous around the world for their venomous ‘stings’ or ‘barbs’. ![]()
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