Species Background
There are more than 600 species of rays that live in the world. About 100 species of these rays are stingrays. They are lengthy pancake-like fish with a bone-like, barbed tail that injects a poisonous toxin. Many of these species live in oceans, but there are species that live in lakes and rivers. Stingrays like to bury themselves in the mud and sand of these bodies of water.
The Stingray's Barbed Tail
At the end of the stingray's tail is a separate barbed stinger. The stinger of the stingray can vary in size from larger and developed to small and underdeveloped. The range of the spine can reach up to 1 foot long. These lengthy tails can leave very deep and extremely lacerated wounds. The stinger tends to break off after an attack and will stay embedded in the victim. The stingray regrows its stinger when it breaks off.
The Poision from the Sting
Besides the initial wound from the stinger, the barbed spine also releases poison into its victim. The poison is dispensed when the glandular tissue is broken when the spine enters the flesh. The amount of pain that results depends on where the toxin enters the body. The wound tends to get more painful after a short period of time and then subsides in severity. Major organ, muscle groups and nerve wounds can be very serious, as can be improper treatment of the injury.
Avoiding Confrontation
To avoid being stung by a stingray, steer clear of stepping on the animal. Stingrays will tend to move out of the way of people walking but they do bury themselves under the sand. Do not plunge into the ocean or jump into shallow waters from a water vehicle without making sure the bottom is visible. A stick or staff can be used to test for threats. Stingrays will only attack if threatened and tend to leave humans alone.