07/06/2026
Stingrays are a group of sea rays, which are cartilaginous fish related to sharks. Many species are progressively becoming threatened or vulnerable to extinction, particularly as the consequence of unregulated fishing.
There are about 220 known stingray species organized into ten families and 29 genera.
Stingrays employ a wide range of feeding strategies. Some bury themselves and quietly waiting to ambush its prey and they have specialized jaws that allow them to crush hard mollusk shells, crustaceans, and occasionally small fish. whereas others use external mouth structures to guide plankton into their oral cavity
Stingrays are not aggressive and attack humans only when provoked, as when a ray is accidentally stepped on. Contact with the stinger causes : pain, swelling and muscle cramps from the venom , The injury is very painful, but seldom life-threatening unless the stinger pierces a vital area.
Fatal stings are very rare. The death of Steve Irwin in 2006 was only the second recorded in Australian waters since 1945. The stinger penetrated his thoracic wall, causing massive trauma.