Bluntnose Stingray

Hypanus say

Picture of a bluntnose stingray on a beach
Image by Joy Leisen from Flickr, CC BY 2.0

Physical: The bluntnose stingray is a stingray species that’s yellow to light brown on top and white to grey on the belly. It has a short snout, hence the name bluntnose. They grow up to 39.4 in (100 cm) in length, and can have a wingspan up to 36 in (91.4 cm). Like other stingrays, the bluntnose stingray has a venomous spine on its tail, which it uses to defend itself against predators.

Habitat: They range from New Jersey through the northern Gulf of Mexico and on to Argentina. Since New Jersey marks the northernmost edge of this range, most bluntnose stingrays found in the Barnegat Bay are stray individuals from further south. They live in shallow coastal environments, especially on sandy bottom and mud flats.

Feeding: Bluntnose stingrays eat clams, worms, shrimps, crabs, small fishes. They search for prey by flapping their wings to disperse sand, uncovering buried invertebrates and fishes.

Breeding: Stingrays carry their young internally. Males fertilize the eggs inside a female, and the female incubates the eggs in a brood chamber for around 10-11 months. The eggs hatch inside the chamber and the pups are released soon after. On average there are 2-4 pups per litter.

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