Page 260 - French Polynesia

tingray - Most stingrays have one or more barbed stingers and their mouths on the undersides, stingrays cannot see their
prey; instead, they use smell and electroreceptors (ampullae of
S (modified from dermal denticles) on the tail, which are used Lorenzini) similar to those of sharks. Stingrays feed primarily on
molluscs, crustaceans, and occasionally on small fish. Some sting-
exclusively in self-defense. The stinger may reach a length of ap- rays’ mouths contain two powerful, shell-crushing plates, while
proximately 35 cm (14 in), and its underside has two grooves with other species only have sucking mouthparts. Stingrays settle on
venom glands. The stinger is covered with a thin layer of skin, the bottom while feeding, often leaving only their eyes and tail
the integumentary sheath, in which the venom is concentrated. visible. Coral reefs are favorite feeding grounds and are usually
A few members of the suborder, such as the manta rays and the shared with sharks during high tide. Stingrays are usually very doc-
porcupine ray, do not have stingers. Stingrays are common in ile and curious, their usual reaction being to flee any disturbance,
coastal tropical and subtropical marine waters throughout the but they will sometimes brush their fins past any new object they
world. The conservation status is more problematic, leading to encounter. Nevertheless, certain larger species may be more ag-
them being listed as vulnerable or endangered by IUCN. and also gressive and should be approached with caution, as the stingray’s
includes species found in warmer temperate oceans. The flattened defensive reflex (use of its poisoned stinger) may result in serious
bodies of stingrays allow them to effectively conceal themselves injury or death.
in their environment. Stingrays do this by agitating the sand and
hiding beneath it. Because their eyes are on top of their bodies