Stingrays are shark related fish that roam in the warm marine waters. They do not have a single bone in their body; in fact the stingray has a cartilage structure. The major characteristic that defines stingrays is from the barbed stinger or tail. The tail is mainly used for self-defence, but contact with the stinger is fatal. The tail is around 35cm long and covered with a thin layer of skin and inside of the grooves are the venomous glands which they spurt when attacking the prey. Stingrays don’t attack humans so you wouldn’t have to worry about swimming among them. They tend to swim away when they feel they are threatened so it is not really easy to spot one. The best place to catch a glimpse of these animals is in shallow, warm water when they are resting in the sand.
Stingrays are mostly found in tropical oceans but they are hard to spot at first because their flattened bodies and the colour of their skin allow them to blend with the ocean scenery. They often hide beneath the sand in the ocean bed and spend hours simply swaying with the tide. Stingrays are usually a dark grey so they camouflage themselves in the sand for protection against sharks and other larger rays. Stingray habitats have been threatened in recent years but are not under a risk of being extinct. There are around 200 species of stingrays that have been discovered of which the Eagle and Manta Ray are found in Maldives.
In Maldives you might be able to catch a glimpse of them hunting and eating small fish. Stingrays generally depend on mollusks and crustaceans. It is difficult to watch them eat because their mouth is underneath the flat head. They find their prey through smell and electro-receptors and once they find their prey they use their powerful jaws and teeth to crush the victim. Maldives is definitely a hotspot for stingrays because the waters are shallow and very clear.
If you are interested in seeing the exotic marine life in the tropics then you should visit Maldives. It is easy to find a good accommodation in a Maldives hotel that will provide you with great deals on diving packages. Maldives island resorts have some of the best features since they have their very own private beach and ocean stretch. Check out Naladhu, Maldives for they have amazing rooms with all the amenities and their food is simply fabulous.
Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.
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