# Stingray (*Myliobatoidei*)

> Stingrays (Myliobatoidei) are flat-bodied fish related to sharks, known for the venomous, barbed spine on their whip-like tails. They swim by rippling their broad, wing-like pectoral fins and live in coastal seas, reefs, and some rivers, with large species spanning up to 2 m across. Bottom-feeders, they eat molluscs, crustaceans, and fish, and can live 15 to 25 years depending on the species. Their conservation status varies from one species to another.

- **Category:** Fish
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Least Concern
- **Range:** Coastal seas, reefs, and some rivers across tropical and temperate waters worldwide.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/stingray/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Chondrichthyes
- **Order:** Myliobatiformes

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Myliobatoidei |
| Diet | Carnivore (mollusks, crustaceans, fish) |
| Habitat | Coastal seas, reefs, and some rivers |
| Lifespan | 15–25 years by species |
| Length | Varies; up to 2 m (6.5 ft) wide in large species |
| Top speed | Glides; fast burst when alarmed |
| Conservation status | Varies by species |

## Body shape and how they swim

Stingrays are cartilaginous fish, meaning their skeletons are made of cartilage rather than bone, like their shark relatives. Their bodies are flattened into a broad disc, and they swim by rippling the edges of their wide pectoral fins in graceful wave-like motions. Most of the time they glide slowly just above the seabed, but they can produce a fast burst of speed when alarmed. Their eyes sit on top of the body while the mouth and gills are underneath.

## The venomous tail

The stingray's defining feature is the barbed spine near the base of its tail, which is coated in venom-producing tissue. The ray uses it purely for defence, whipping the tail upward if a predator or a person steps on it. The wound is intensely painful and, in rare cases involving large rays, can be dangerous. Stingrays are not aggressive and use the sting only when threatened.

## Feeding on the seabed

Stingrays are carnivores that feed along the bottom on molluscs, crustaceans, and small fish. Special sensory organs called ampullae of Lorenzini let them detect the faint electrical fields given off by prey hidden in sand. Many species have flattened, plate-like teeth built for crushing shells and hard-bodied invertebrates. They often flap their fins to uncover buried prey before feeding.

## Where stingrays live

Stingrays are found in coastal seas and around reefs worldwide, and some species live in freshwater rivers. They favour shallow, sandy areas where they can bury themselves with only their eyes exposed. This camouflage hides them from predators and helps them ambush prey. River stingrays in South America and elsewhere have adapted fully to fresh water.

## Reproduction and lifespan

Stingrays give birth to live young rather than laying eggs, with the embryos nourished inside the mother before being born as miniature versions of the adults. Litters are usually small. Depending on the species, stingrays live roughly 15 to 25 years. Large species can grow up to 2 m across the disc.

## Conservation across species

Because 'stingray' covers many different species, conservation status varies widely from one to another. Some are common and secure, while others, especially certain freshwater and heavily fished species, face pressure from habitat loss and overfishing. There is no single status for the group as a whole. Assessing each species individually is the only accurate way to judge its risk.

## Frequently asked questions

### Are stingrays dangerous to humans?

Stingrays are not aggressive and only sting in self-defence, usually when accidentally stepped on. The barbed, venomous tail spine can cause an intensely painful wound, and injuries from large rays can occasionally be serious, but most encounters are harmless if the ray is left alone.

### What do stingrays eat?

Stingrays are carnivores that feed on the seabed, eating molluscs, crustaceans, and small fish. Many have flat, plate-like teeth for crushing shells, and they use electrical sensors to find prey buried in the sand.

### How do stingrays swim?

Stingrays swim by rippling their broad, wing-like pectoral fins in smooth wave motions, gliding just above the seabed. When alarmed, they can produce a quick burst of speed to escape.

### How long do stingrays live?

Depending on the species, stingrays typically live around 15 to 25 years. Larger species tend to be among the longer-lived.

### Do stingrays live in fresh water?

Most stingrays live in coastal seas and around reefs, but some species have adapted fully to fresh water and live in rivers, including parts of South America. So stingrays occur in both marine and freshwater habitats.

### Are stingrays related to sharks?

Yes. Stingrays are cartilaginous fish, meaning their skeletons are made of cartilage rather than bone, the same as sharks. Rays and sharks are close relatives within the same broad group of fish.

## Sources

- [IUCN Red List — Myliobatoidei.](https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Myliobatoidei&searchType=species)
- [Wikipedia — Stingray.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stingray)

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/stingray/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.