To see photographs of the Black Stingray (Dasyatis thetidis) click here.
Black Stingray (Dasyatis thetidis)
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protected: © 2002 Kelvin Aitken.
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Found across southern coastal waters, the Black Stingray
(Dasyatis thetidis) shares a similar habitat and appearance to the Smooth
Stingray. It differs in having thorns along the middle of the back as
well as the base of the tail and the longer whip-like tail section beyond
the spine is covered in small rough thorns that give it a spiky appearance.
The armed tail with its rough surface and large serrated spine is a superb
defence. Body colour is blue-grey to black.
While it does not grow as large as the Smooth Stingray, it can still attain
a substantial weight of over 200 kg and a width of180 cm. Found as individuals
or as large schools, they often gather for mating purposes. Black Stingrays
feed on fish, crabs and shellsed invertebrates which they search out in
the sand using the sensitive electroreceptors located on its underside.
These rays are often used in large aquarium displays due to their impressive
size and hardy nature.