Southern stingray

Photo: Kerry Lewis · CC BY-NC

Southern stingrays are the quintessential Caribbean sand-flat predators, using electroreception to detect buried molluscs and worms before excavating them with powerful jet-propulsion from their gills. They are frequently found resting camouflaged in sand around wrecks, where the disturbed sediment from wreck settling creates productive feeding grounds. Largely non-aggressive toward divers unless stood upon. Their venomous barbed tail spine is a defensive weapon, not a predatory one. A common target for juvenile cobia and pilotfish, which shadow the ray to steal dislodged prey.