Stingrays

Stingrays are interesting creatures. Their flat bodies allow them to hide by burying themselves in the sand. Since their eyes are located in top their bodies and their mouths and nostrils are on the bottom side, they can't see their prey. Therefore they use smell, similar to the way sharks do. They too are carnivores and largely feed on small sea animals, such as snails, shrimp, clams, small fish, etc. They usually eat from the ocean floor. 

Stingrays are normally docile, although they are curious. They may brush against a new object to try to determine what it is. They can live in groups or alone. Some varieties are more aggressive than others, however, so they should be treated with caution due to the fact that their stingers can be poisonous. Some early coastal people made arrow and spear points from the stingers. 

In some places, stingrays are eaten, and there's an abundance of recipes. For example, in Singapore and Malaysia, they are often barbecued on a grill and served with a sauce. There's also stingray sushi. They're sometimes killed to keep them from harvesting from fishing territories.

The stingray has a special grace and beauty as it moves through the water with ease, although the largest varieties can weigh up to almost 800 pounds and be nearly 7 feet in length. They give birth once a year and usually have from 2 to 6 babies. Their average life span is about 20 years in the wild. It's fascinating to watch them.

__________________________________