Beauty with a purpose: stingrays use their wide, graceful fins to dislodge substrate and expose their prey.

ORIGIN:
Western Atlantic coast

HABITAT:
Algal fields and seagrass beds

HEIGHT/WEIGHT:
Up to 200 lbs
Length: Up to 5 ft

DIET:
Crabs, worms and smaller fish

PREDATORS:
Sharks

NATURAL DEFENSES:
Venomous spine on tail

REPRODUCTION:
175-day gestation; sexually mature at 3-6 yrs

THREATS:
Overfishing

LIFE EXPECTANCY:
12-13 yrs in wild