Family: Dasyatidae, Stingrays view all from this family

Description To 5' (1.5 m) wide. Disc roughly rhombic in shape; outer corners sharply rounded; anterior edges of disc nearly straight. Upper surface light brown, gray, or olive, varies depending on surroundings; lower surface whitish with gray or brownish margins; ridge and cutaneous fold of tail dark brown. Lacks dorsal fin; long, whiplike tail with spine near base; cutaneous fold on underside of tail about as deep as tail diameter; no conspicuous tubercles on tail.

Warning Rays in the genus Dasyatis have a long whiplike tail with a venomous spine. These rays are potentially dangerous to swimmers and waders as they can inflict wounds characterized by intense pain and slow recovery. To prevent an encounter with a ray, shuffle your feet as you walk through the water so you nudge the ray on the side or from underneath: it is likely to swim away.

Related Species Roughtail Stingray (D. centroura) attains greater size, has conspicuous tubercles on disc and tail; occurs from Massachusetts to Florida. Diamond Stingray (D. dipterura) has diamond-shaped disc; whiplike tail lacks caudal fin; occurs from British Columbia to Paito, Peru. Both in similar habitat.

Habitat Near shores and in bays.

Range From New Jersey to Brazil; rare north of Cape Hatteras; Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean.

Discussion These stingrays lie partly buried in the sand with only the eyes, spiracle, and tail exposed.