Johan Swanepoel, Südafrika
Info
Dasyatis chrysonota (Smith, 1828)
Blue stingray
Found in shallow bays, sheltered sandy beaches in summertime, moves to deeper waters during winter.
Feeds on bony fishes and crustaceans such as crabs, shrimps and mantis shrimps
Main reference: Cowley, P.D. and L.J.V. Compagno, 1993. A taxonomic re-evaluation of the blue stingray from southern Africa (Myliobatiformes: Dasyatidae). S. Afr. J. Mar. Sci. 13:135-149. (
Caution:
People have already died from stingray bites, including the well-known Australian documentary filmmaker, adventurer and zoo director of the Australian Zoo, Steve Irwin "The Crocodile Hunter" from Australia in 2006.
Even if the sting injuries are not fatal, the sting causes extremely painful and deep wounds in any case, and there is also a risk of parts of the sting breaking off in the wound and subsequent surgery becoming necessary.
The situation becomes particularly dramatic if toxins enter the body via the sting.
Occasionally beach visitors accidentally step on stingrays, some of which are buried in the sand near the beach, resulting in a painful, serious wound to the foot, so always wear bathing shoes as a minimum.
Snorkelers and divers should never swim over stingrays lying on the bottom, as the stingray can quickly fling its muscular, whip-like tail around and stab in defense.
In any case, seek medical attention immediately or seek immediate transportation to the nearest hospital.
If you want to find out about the size of rays in specialist literature, usually written in English, you will often come across two abbreviations that ultimately mean the same thing: DW or WD.
If you look at FishBase, WoRMS or first descriptions of rays, you will find these abbreviations.
The total length including shoal is only rarely given, the TL.
Blue stingray
Found in shallow bays, sheltered sandy beaches in summertime, moves to deeper waters during winter.
Feeds on bony fishes and crustaceans such as crabs, shrimps and mantis shrimps
Main reference: Cowley, P.D. and L.J.V. Compagno, 1993. A taxonomic re-evaluation of the blue stingray from southern Africa (Myliobatiformes: Dasyatidae). S. Afr. J. Mar. Sci. 13:135-149. (
Caution:
People have already died from stingray bites, including the well-known Australian documentary filmmaker, adventurer and zoo director of the Australian Zoo, Steve Irwin "The Crocodile Hunter" from Australia in 2006.
Even if the sting injuries are not fatal, the sting causes extremely painful and deep wounds in any case, and there is also a risk of parts of the sting breaking off in the wound and subsequent surgery becoming necessary.
The situation becomes particularly dramatic if toxins enter the body via the sting.
Occasionally beach visitors accidentally step on stingrays, some of which are buried in the sand near the beach, resulting in a painful, serious wound to the foot, so always wear bathing shoes as a minimum.
Snorkelers and divers should never swim over stingrays lying on the bottom, as the stingray can quickly fling its muscular, whip-like tail around and stab in defense.
In any case, seek medical attention immediately or seek immediate transportation to the nearest hospital.
If you want to find out about the size of rays in specialist literature, usually written in English, you will often come across two abbreviations that ultimately mean the same thing: DW or WD.
If you look at FishBase, WoRMS or first descriptions of rays, you will find these abbreviations.
The total length including shoal is only rarely given, the TL.
