Sting Ray
Sting rays, more properly called stingrays, is the name for a group or family of rays “dasyatidae” who are related to sharks and skate. Their reputation in modern day fiction as fearsome denizens of the deep is thoroughly undeserved.
These placid creatures avoid trouble if they possible can; however with eyes on top of their
heads to look for predators whilst they are feeding on the bottom, their long whip-like, venomous and sharply capped tail is a serious deterrent to any fish, except sharks which are their main predators.Stingrays are very common in tropical waters throughout the world, mainly in shallower seas but often in large rivers too. There are over 70 different species covering both freshwater and saltwater varieties, but all of them have the same basic characteristics, although with an astonishing array of different colours.
Stingrays have wings rather than fins with which they, with an undulating movement, cross the seabed. They are rarely to be found swimming around in the middle of the sea.
They are of circular form like flatfish and feed on crustaceans and molluscs on the bottom of the river or seabed both smelt for and found by electro-sensors. Their eyes being on top to warn of danger, the tail is ‘pre-programmed’ to activate immediately should danger come within its reach.
The tail of a stingray can be longer than its 4 inch to six feet diameter body, and larger species grow to a total of 14 feet in length. At the end of the tail there is a sort if elongated fingernail which is barbed, extremely sharp or serrated. Within the tail, is a store for the venom which is pumped to the end of the tail should an attack take place.
The stingray’s stinging tail has incredibly fast reactions. Many scientists attribute the angle of its eyes and the electro- receptors for it to eat assisting in the eyes being able to be used for danger warnings, and therefore to the very fast and accurate response from the tail.
Australian world-renown naturalist Steve Irwin was one of the only 20 known people this century to have been actually killed by a stingray sting. As the term implies “sting” means to hurt but not kill. In Mr Irwin’s case he was unluckily enough to have been hit and stung directly in the heart. A tragic accident rather than a common occurrence.
If you get stung by a stingray don’t worry about dying. It will hurt like mad for an hour or so, the cut could be pretty bad too. It is likely that you have been stung in the foot or leg having trodden on one by mistake. Very, very hot water is the initial cure, to stop the venom working; antibiotics and local anaesthetic if you have any injected into and around the wound straight away helps too. You may well feel nauseous, headachy, hot and cold for two days, but you’ll live.
Many stingrays are quite edible and are cooked in the same way as other fish, however the wings are pretty rubbery and the area of flesh around the eyes and the liver are popular, especially in the tropics where they are to be found in markets.
While stingrays are very common they are not caught industrially by fishermen.
By: Cindy Sekela
Article Source: http://animalarticles.com
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