Stingrays - waterfowl

Rays, like sharks, are among the most ancient fish. They are unique in that they do not use their tail when swimming, as other fish do. Stingrays move only due to the movements of the fins, while resembling butterflies. In this issue you will see amazing pictures of rays taken in the Cayman Islands.

(Total 22 photos)

1. Most stingrays live in seawater, but there are also a few freshwater species. (Photo by Bull Press)

2. Stingrays are characterized by a very “flattened” body and large pectoral fins fused with the head. The mouth, nostrils and five pairs of gills are on a flat and usually light underside.

3. The upper side of the stingrays is adapted in color to a particular living space and can vary from light sand to black.

4. Stingrays can be found in different parts of our earth. They are found even off the coast of Antarctica and in the Arctic Ocean.

5. The size of stingrays varies from a few centimeters to several meters, and the wingspan of some stingrays can be more than 2 meters.

6. One of the most famous species of stingrays is Manta, whose wingspan can reach 2.5 meters, and the length - up to 5 meters! Rays from the stingray family are also very large and reach 2.1 meters in width and up to 5.5 meters in length. A relatively large stingray - Sea Cat - is found in the Azov and Black Seas.

7. Stingrays are very ancient fish. They are relatives of sharks, moreover, the closest relatives, although there are no external similarities. According to the internal composition, rays, like sharks, do not consist of bones, but of cartilage.

8. In ancient times, stingrays were similar to sharks not only in their internal structure, but also in their external features. But time has changed them beyond recognition.

9. Most of the stingrays lead a benthic lifestyle and feed on mollusks and crustaceans.

10. Stingrays have a unique respiratory system. If you take other fish, they breathe with gills. However, if the stingray tried to do the same, then along with the air it would also draw in the sand lying on the bottom. Therefore, stingrays breathe differently. Air enters the body of the stingray through special sprinklers that are on the back. His eyes are also located there (visible in the photo).

11. A detachment of electric stingrays is endowed with a special “weapon”, which, with the help of a special organ made of transformed muscles, can paralyze prey with electrical discharges from 60 to 230 volts and over 30 amperes.

12. By the way, all stingrays can generate electricity, but not to the same extent as an electric stingray.

13. The man got to the rays. Their skin is very durable and has an unusual texture, therefore it is used in the leather industry for the manufacture of wallets, belts, bags, briefcases, etc. Stingray wings are a delicacy in Portuguese cuisine.

14. A few more photos from a photo shoot with stingrays in the Cayman Islands.

15. Stingray eyes and breathing holes on the back.

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20. Wonderful.

21. When such an unusual fish “flies” next to you, it makes an indelible impression. Stingrays are real butterflies of the seas and oceans.

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