Stingrays are cartilaginous fishes related to sharks.
Their colour may vary from brown to grey.
Can be as long as 5 meters or 17 feet. May weighs up to 600 kilogram.
Stingray can live in fresh water , salt water and even in brackish waters (where rivers ,source of fresh water , meet in sea or salt water ).
Giant stingray are normally found in coastal area of tropical and subtropical region. They are abundant in Thailand , North Australia, Borneo, New Guinea.
Eyes is on top of head but mouth on underside of the head.
They are carnivores and hunt in night. Small fish and Oysters and Crabs are their favorites food.
They live for 15 to 25 years. But lifespan of giant Stingrays is unknown because Giant Stingrays discovered only 20 years ago.
Stingrays are ovoviviparous (means inside of an egg embryo develops) and 5 – 13 no of babies they give birth. Embryo first eat nutrients from yolk sac of mother but when food depleted , mother stingrays uterus secrete “Uterine Milk”.
Female Stingrays can store sperm inside of her body and fertilize only when she decide because in London SeaLife aquarium a female sting rays gave birth though she didn’t met with any male within 2 years and this incident led scientist to believe that
“Rays have been known to store sperm and not give birth until they decide the timing is right”
Stingray injuries
Though stingray avoid human but sometimes they can sting and it is very much painful. Wildlife Expert Steve Irwin , “The Crocodile Hunter”, died due to their attack.
To avoid being stung , you should waddle in water or may through few stones.
They are really endangered due to us. In Singapore and Malaysia they are grilled and served as food with sambal sauce.
