Hobbies And Interests
Atlantic Stingrays
The Atlantic stingray is a euryhaline species, which means it can live in both freshwater and saltwater habitats. It also is benthic, meaning it is a bottom-feeder and buries itself in the substrate. The Atlantic stingray prefers areas with sand and mud bottoms where it digs holes to find prey such as tube anemones, polychaete worms, crustaceans, clams and serpent stars. In the summer and fall, it can be found as far north as the Chesapeake Bay, but in October and November it migrates to the warmer, deeper waters of the Atlantic, where it is seen in water up to 80 feet deep.
Manta Rays
Manta rays are pelagic rays, which means they are more active swimmers than benthic rays. They are known for their size and grace, measuring up to 20 feet from tip to tip and capable of leaping entirely out of the water and into the air. In the Atlantic, manta rays are found as far north as the British Isles and Cape Cod, but they prefer tropical and warm temperate seas. They are usually found far out to sea, but have also been spotted in coastal lagoons and near reefs, feeding on plankton and swimming alone or in small groups near the surface of the ocean.
Stingarees
Stingarees are bottom-dwelling rays and partially bury themselves in the warm substrate of the western Atlantic coastline and along the continental shelf, where they blend in with the sand, mud and rocks. They prefer shallow water, but have been seen in depths of more than 2,296 feet. Stingarees favor sandy areas, but they also can be spotted in sea vegetation such as kelp as well as rocky substrates feeding on small fish, crustaceans and invertebrates.
Butterfly Rays
The butterfly ray is another benthic ray, living on the shallow ocean bottom in tropical and subtropical bays and beach areas of the Atlantic. Open sand on the upper continental shelf is preferred, where they can bury themselves for protection as well as search for food such as crabs, shrimp, fish, small crustaceans and mollusks.