Name: Southern stingray
Scientific Name: Dasyatis americana (Hildebrand & Schroeder, 1928)
Family: Dasyatidae
Group: Sharks, rays and chimaeras
Class: Fish
Size: 101-200 cm.
The southern stingray, which lives in sandy areas close to the coast, has a well-developed serrated spine that is toxic at the base of the tail. If it should be accidentally stepped on, it can cause painful wounds. It spends most of the day buried in the sand and at night swims on the sea floor searching for food. Its prey is unearthed by wavy movements of its fins. This stingray has its parasites removed by the cleaner wrasse, and is known for being sociable with divers.
Photo by:
www.ryanphotographic.com
Oceanário Location
Global Ocean
