Things that Fly Underwater - Stingrays

Shown here in this display cabinet is a bluespotted ribbontail ray. It is a species of stingray found in the intertidal zone, that is, in the water along the shore up to a depth of 30 metres, throughout the tropical regions of the Indian Ocean, including WA. As you can see from this example it is a small ray which can easily be identified by the striking colour pattern of its many electric blue spots on a yellowish background, with a pair of blue stripes on the tail.

At night, small groups of bluespotted ribbontail rays will leave the shelter of their reef and follow the rising tide onto sandy flats along the shore to look for food. When the tide recedes, the rays separate and withdraw to their shelters on the reef. Unlike other stingrays, this species does not like to settle down on the bottom and get covered in sand. This ray is shy and will quickly look for shelter if it is disturbed. However, it will inflict an excruciating sting with its venomous tail spines to any human who is foolish, or unfortunate, enough, to upset it. So, as the saying goes, beautiful but deadly. Look, but do not touch.

Blue-spotted fantail ray (Taeniura lymma). 
Credit: WA Museum