Atlantic Stingray
Learn all about Atlantic Stingrays here!
Habitat
The Atlantic Stingrays habitat ranges from the Chesapeake Bay to South Florida, They can also live in the Gulf of Mexico. Atlantic Stingrays inhabit shallow marine or brackish water with sand, silt mud and or seagrass at the bottom. They can be found between 1 to 70 feet down in the ocean.
Diet
The Atlantic Stingrays diet can vary, it depends on where they geographically are. Their prey typically consist of Benthic Invertebrates such as Bivalves, Tube Anemones, Amphipods, Crustaceans, Clams and Nereid Worms. Atlantic Stingrays are highly electroreceptive animals. They have rows of sensory cells called "Ampullae of Lorenzini" that they are able to detect weak electric fields generated by prey items. They also use their sense to locate prey buried in the sand.
Reproduction
Florida populations have been observed to have an annual mating season, beginning in late fall and ending in early spring. Females give birth to live young, usually numbering from 1 to 4. Baby Stingrays are called pups.
Size
Atlantic Stingray males reach a maximum disc width of 12.8 inches. Atlantic Stingray females are bigger at 14.6 inches.
Status
The Atlantic Stingrays are listed at Least Concerned with the World Conservation Union (IUCN). Stingrays are so fascinating! We still have so much more to learn about them. The Atlantic Stingrays are Least Concerned by the IUCN. To help the Atlantic Stingrays we could stop hunting them. Some people down in the bahamas are killing them to make a profit. The Stingrays deserve to live.
Caught On Camera: Fisherman Helps Stingray Give Birth
Stingray giving birth
This video is so cool! Make sure to listen without the sound.