Yellow Stingray
Urobatis jamaicensis
Also known as: Maid, Round Stingray, Yellow-spotted Stingray
- Maid
- Round Stingray
- Yellow-spotted Stingray
Overview
Found singly, close to the waters edge of sandy beaches and over coral reefs.
They feed by raising the front end of its disc to coverts prey, on clams, small fish, shrimps and worms.
Disc - 75cm
Can darken or lighten in colour probably to act as a warning to deter predators.
Rays are bottom feeders, they settle themselves down over their prey, trapping them against the substrate with their disc, then flexing their disc flaps and manoeuvring the victims into their mouths.
Most rays live in the sea, but some can be found in estuaries, often hard to see as they can be buried in the sand, occasionally they can be seen leaping out of the water.
As a form of defence rays have electric organs while others have venomous spines.
Usually rays will swim out of harms way if approached, however they can give a nasty sting which could prove fatal.
Never swim over the top of large rays, they think you are a predator and are likely to whip their tails in defense! (as happened to Steve Irwin)
How to identify
- Pattern
- dotsocellated spotspots
Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.
Habitat & where to find it
- Range · Western Atlantic, Caribbean
- Country only · 8
Found singly, close to the waters edge of sandy beaches and over coral reefs.
Adult photos 8
Discussion
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