Hobbies And Interests
Pelagic Stingrays
Pelagic, also known as swimmer, stingrays contain the largest stingray species. Although they're large enough to eat a human -- for example, manta rays can span 6 meters in length -- pelagic rays prefer to eat plankton. Regardless of their menacing size, pelagic rays are quite docile and mostly friendly towards divers, especially since their stingers are not lethal. These rays travel great distances in search of mineral rich waters where they gorge themselves on plankton. They do this by filtering plankton rich waters by collecting it with their large gaping mouths; the plankton stays in and the waters goes out.
Benthic Stingrays
Benthic, also known as bottom feeders, are the most dangerous stingrays to humans due to their highly-toxic stingers. Typically, benthic rays are not aggressive and only attack people when they're disturbed or threatened. These rays frequent shallow waters where they burrow their seafloor-colored bodies to hide from prey while hunting from food. Benthic rays are nocturnal hunters that eat mostly, mollusks, shellfish and bivalves. Their powerful jaws are able to easily crush shellfish such as clams or mussels. Like pelagic rays, benthic rays' mouth are located on their underside making searching the seafloor for food convenient. Although fish aren't high up on the menu, bentic rays will eat them if the opportunity presents itself.
Humans Feeding Stingrays
Humans have developed a habit of feeding stingrays, mostly benthic, at luxury resorts or at aquariums. Human-provided feedings take place in either waste-deep water or from a boat. Since their diet is capable of high subsistence, they're just fine with straying from their routine diet. Typically, humans feed rays pieces of fish, worms and shrimps. But since feeding rays in this way typically takes place during the day their natural feeding cycle is often affected, so much so that some rays become permanent day feeders relying on human handouts. However, the grand implications of this alteration are not yet fully understood.
General Information
Since stingrays are elusive hunters that prefer feeding during the night, little is actually known about their feeding habits. Marine biologists have only scratched the surface of stingray behavior and diet. It was just recently discovered that stingrays, like sharks, have electrical receptors in their mouths that help them locate prey.