ABOUT STINGRAYS

Stingrays are commonly found in the shallow coastal waters of temperate

seas. They spend the majority of their time inactive, partially buried in
sand, often moving only with the sway of the tide.

Unique Traits

The stingray's coloration commonly reflects the seafloor's shading,

camouflaging it from predatory sharks and larger rays. Their flattened
bodies are composed of pectoral fins joined to their head and trunk with
an infamous tail trailing behind.

While the stingray's eyes peer out from its dorsal side, its mouth, nostrils,
and gill slits are situated on its underbelly. Its eyes are therefore not
thought by scientists to play a considerable role in hunting. Like its shark
relatives, the stingray is outfitted with electrical sensors called ampullae
of Lorenzini. Located around the stingray's mouth, these organs sense
the natural electrical charges of potential prey. Many rays have jaw teeth
to enable them to crush mollusks such as clams, oysters, and mussels.

Swimming

When they are inclined to move, most stingrays swim by undulating their
bodies like a wave; others flap their sides like wings. The tail may also be
used to maneuver in the water, but its primary purpose is protection.

Barb and Venom

The stingray's spine, or barb, can be ominously fashioned with serrated

edges and a sharp point. The underside may produce venom, which can
be fatal to humans, and which can remain deadly even after the stingray's
death. In Greek mythology, Odysseus, the great king of Ithaca, was killed
when his son, Telegonus, struck him using a spear tipped with the spine
of a stingray.

Behavior
Reproduction
During the breeding season, males of various stingray species such
as Urolophus halleri, may rely on their ampullae of Lorenzini to sense
certain electrical signals given off by mature females before
potential copulation.[14] When a male is courting a female, he follows her
closely, biting at her pectoral disc. He then places one of his two claspers
into her valve.[15]
Reproductive ray behaviors are associated with their behavioral
endocrinology, for example, in species such as Dasyatis sabina, social
groups are formed first, then the sexes display
complex courtship behaviors that end in pair copulation which is similar
to the species Urolophus halleri.[16] Furthermore, their mating period is
one of the longest recorded in elasmobranch fish. Individuals are known
to mate for 7 months before the females ovulate in March. During this
time, the male stingrays experience increased levels of androgen
hormones which has been linked to its prolonged mating periods.[17] The
behavior expressed among males and females during specific parts of this
period involves aggressive social interactions.[18] Frequently, the males
trail females with their snout near the female vent then proceed to bite the
female on her fins and her body[19]. Although this mating behavior is
similar to the species Urolophus halleri, differences can be seen in the
particular actions of Dasyatis sabina. Seasonal elevated levels of serum
androgens coincide with the expressed aggressive behavior, which led to
the proposal that androgen steroids start, indorse, and maintain
aggressive sexual behaviors in the male rays for this species which drives
the prolonged mating season. Similarly, concise elevations of serum
androgens in females has been connected to increased aggression and
improvement in mate choice. When their androgen steroid levels are
elevated, they are able to improve their mate choice by quickly fleeing
from tenacious males when undergoing ovulation succeeding
impregnation. This ability affects the paternity of their offspring by
refusing less qualified mates[20].
Stingrays are ovoviviparous, bearing live young in "litters" of five to 13.
During this period, the female’s behavior transitions to support of her
future offspring. Females hold the embryos in the womb without a
placenta. Instead, the embryos absorb nutrients from a yolk sac, and after
the sac is depleted, the mother provides uterine "milk".[21] After birth, the
mothers typically protect their young until they physically mature, which
can take about 3 years. This process ensures the survival of their young
until they learn how to camouflage themselves in the sand through
burial[22] to where only the eyes and spiracles can be seen.[23]
At the Sea Life London Aquarium, two female stingrays have delivered
seven baby stingrays, although the mothers have not been near a male for
two years. This suggests some species of rays can store sperm then give
birth when they deem conditions to be suitable.[24]

Locomotion[edit]
Stingray undulation locomotion
The stingray uses its paired pectoral fins for moving about. This is in
contrast to sharks and most other fishes, which get most of their
swimming power from a single caudal (tail) fin.[25][26] Stingray pectoral
fin locomotion can be divided into two categories: undulatory and
oscillatory.[27] Stingrays who use undulatory locomotion have shorter
thicker fins for slower motile movements in benthic areas.[28] Longer
thinner pectoral fins make for faster speeds in oscillation mobility in
pelagic zones.[27] Visually distinguishable oscillation has less than one
wave going, opposed to undulation having more than one wave at all
times.[27]
Feeding behavior and diet[edit]
Stingrays employ a wide range of feeding strategies. Some have specialized
jaws that allow them to crush hard mollusk shells,[29] whereas others use
external mouth structures called cephalic lobes to guide plankton into
their oral cavity.[30] Benthic stingrays (those that reside on the sea floor)
are ambush hunters.[31] They wait until prey comes near, then use a
strategy called "tenting".[32] With pectoral fins pressed against the
substrate, the ray will raise its head, generating a suction force that pulls
the prey underneath the body. This form of whole-body suction is
analogous to the buccal suction feeding performed by ray-finned fish.
Stingrays exhibit a wide range of colors and patterns on their dorsal
surface that to help them camouflage with the sandy bottom. Some
stingrays can even change color over the course of several days to adjust
to new habitats. Since their mouths are on the side of their bodies, they
catch their prey, then crush and eat with their powerful jaws.Like its shark
relatives, the stingray is outfitted with electrical sensors called ampullae
of Lorenzini. Located around the stingray's mouth, these organs sense the
natural electrical charges of potential prey. Many rays have jaw teeth to
enable them to crush mollusks such as clams, oysters, and mussels.
Most stingrays feed primarily on mollusks, crustaceans, and occasionally
on small fish. Freshwater stingrays in the amazon feed on insects and
break down their tough exoskeletons with mammal-like chewing
motions.[33] Large pelagic rays like the Manta use ram feeding to consume
vast quantities of plankton and have been seen swimming in acrobatic
patterns through plankton patches.
-sources :google