Thorntail stingray

Dasyatis thetidis

Dasyatis thetidis is a Stechrochenart and lives in the oceans of the southern hemisphere off the coasts of South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

Features

Dasyatis thetidis reaches a maximum total length of four meters with up to 214 kg and 1.8 m disc width, with which he is one of the largest stingrays. It has a diamond-shaped pectoral fin disk, which is slightly wider than long, pointed out expires the muzzle and is rounded on the sides. Adult animals carry on the back line of the disc large, flat spines. The tail is whip-like, about twice as long as the disc and carries one to two poisonous sting. The top is olive green to gray, the underside is white.

Way of life

The Rays lives off South Africa, Madagascar, Australia and New Zealand mostly in near-coastal shallow water, reefs and estuaries, but also at depths to 440 m. He hunts, often in groups, invertebrates and bony fishes, mainly shrimp, mantis shrimp, mussels, polychaete and conger eels. The species is ovoviviparous.