science education resource

Stingray (Southern)

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Dasyatis americana
Stingray (Southern)

Range

They are found in Florida and the Northern Caribbean waters.

Habitat

They live in sandy areas and around reefs.

Body Traits

They are dark on top (dorsal surface) and white underneath. They have a long tail and 1-2 stinging spines at the base of the tail. They are roughly shaped like a diamond with wide, flapping wings, up to 5 feet wide, for swimming.

Habits

They swim along the sandy bottom looking for prey. They sleep in the sand on the bottom of the water with just their eyes showing. If a person accidentally steps on a sleeping stingray, it will flip up its back end and sting with its tail stingers. They can get used to humans being around them and will accept food from people. Hammerhead sharks will prey on them.

Diet

They eat small fish, clams, squid, crabs etc.

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Reproduction

Females are pregnant for 4-11 months (gestation). They have about 4 babies per litter called pups.

Stingray (Southern)

Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Chondrichthyes
Order: Rajiformes
Suborder: Rajoidei
Family: Dasyatidae/Subfamily: Dasyatinae
Genus: Dasyatis
Species: D. americana

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