The Stingray is any of a class of cartilaginous
marine animals of the subclass Elasmobranchii, orders Myliobatiformes (rays) or Rajiformes (
skates), found in both salt- and freshwaters, on the coast as well as some rivers, around the world.
Rays swim with a "flying" motion, propelled by motion of their large pectoral fins (commonly referred to as "wings").
A stingray's stinger is a razor-sharp, barbed or serrated cartilage which grows from the ray's whip-like tail (like a fingernail). It is coated with a toxic venom encased in a thin sheath.
Stingrays do not "attack" aggressively, or even actively defend themselves - when threatened their primary reaction is to swim away. However, when they are attacked by predators or stepped on, the barbed stinger in their tail is mechanically whipped up by reflex, usually into the offending foot; it is also possible, although less likely, to be stung "accidentally" by brushing against the stinger. Contact with the stinger causes local trauma (from the cut itself), pain and swelling from the venom, and possible infection from parts of the stinger left in the wound, as well as from seawater entering the wound. It is possible for ray stings to be fatal if they sever major arteries, are in the chest or pelvic region, or are improperly treated. Their stingers are normally ineffective against their main predator, sharks.
Treatment for stings includes hot water (as hot as the victim can stand), which helps ease pain and break down the venom, and antibiotics. Vinegar or urine (a popular remedy by some locals) may or may not be successful in easing pain; neither cleans the wound properly. Other possible pain remedies include meat tenderizer. Pain normally lasts up to 48 hours but is most severe in the first 30-60 minutes and may be accompanied by nausea, fatigue, headaches, chills, etc.
Among marine animals, stingrays are most closely related to sharks. Rays are viviparous (bearing live young in "litters" of 5-10), while skates are oviparous (laying eggs, the casings of which look like shark eggs). Since their eyes are on top of their head, and their mouths on the bottom, they cannot see their prey, and instead use their sense of smell and electro-receptors similar to those of the shark. Rays feed primarily on mollusks and crustaceans, or occasionally on small fish; rays settle on the bottom while feeding, sometimes leaving only the eyes and tail visible.
Rays may be caught on a fishing line, using small crabs as bait, and are often caught accidentally; they may also be speared from above. They are edible but not normally preferred; small rays may be cooked similarly to other fish, typically grilled or battered and fried. It is rumored that in some cases circular cuttings from bat ray wings are substituted for scallop. While not valuable themselves, stingrays can damage shellfishing grounds. Most species of stingray are neither threatened or endangered.
Viewing stingrays:
Stingrays are not normally visible to swimmers, but divers and snorkelers may find them in shallow sandy waters, more so when the water is unseasonably warm. The Baltimore Aquarium has a large stingray tank where they may be viewed from above or below; many other aquariums exhibit rays. In the Cayman Islands, there is Sting ray city where divers can swim with large bat rays and feed them by hand.
Kingdom: Animal
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Chondrichthyes
Subclass: Elasmobrachii
- Order: Myliobatiformes
(I'm not entirely sure about the order for the following families)
- Narcinidae (narcinid rays)
- Rhinidae (rhinid rays)
- Rhinobatidae (guitarfishes)
- Plesiobatidae (deepwater stingray)
- Gymnuridae (butterfly rays)
- Myliobatididae (eagle rays)
- Hexatrydonidae (sixgill stingray)
- Mobulidae (manta ray)
- Order: Rajiformes
(I'm not entirely sure about the order for the following families)
- Rajidae (skates)
- Dasyatidae (stingrays)
- Urolophidae (round stingrays)
- Order: Torpediniformes
- Torpedo rays
- Electric rays
The name "stingray" has been applied to:
- a model of Chevrolet Corvette automobile
- a model of child's bicycle;
- a powerboat; a paintball gun (and probably others).
- a book by Peter Lance about CBS television series Survivor's first season winner, Richard Hatch.
- a television series created by Gerry Anderson
--Information courtesy Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia (with permission)