scubaseason

Cowtail Stingray

Pastinachus sephen

Sighting evidence at Canhabaque Reef, Bijagós Islands

Cowtail stingrays are abundant on the sandy areas and reef patches at Canhabaque, resting partially buried in the substrate during the day and actively foraging across reef flats and sandy slopes at night. Their long whip-like tails with a distinctive skin fold are immediately recognisable, and they can grow to over 1.8 metres in disc width. The healthy sand and rubble habitat around Canhabaque supports the benthic invertebrate communities these rays depend on.

Evidence at this site

No confirmed records on file at this site

Cowtail Stingray is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.

How is this calculated?

Sighting evidence is compiled from iNaturalist observation records within a set proximity radius, filtered for quality-grade observations. “Last confirmed” is the date of the most recent research-grade record. Record count covers a rolling 24-month window. Confidence reflects record count, recency, and consistency of seasonal signal.

Also seen at other sites