New Jersey Stingray fish are very small but particularly dangerous I know, being a surf fisherman and avid beachgoer, I have caught numerous ones but have always been lucky enough never to step on one and get stung. I have been bitten trying to dehook a stingray at night in the dark. Nobody told me about their teeth. How to Prevent Getting Stung by a Stingray?
The best way to prevent being stung by a stingray is to avoid stepping on one, when in the ocean by shuffling through the sand rather than lifting your feet and walking normally (commonly referred to as the “stingray shuffle”). This will warn a stingray of your approach, and it will likely swim away.
The Stingray tends to be a relatively healthy animal with few diseases or parasites. While some stingrays can live as long as 25 years in the wild, the average lifespan is more likely around 15-20 years
How to Prevent Getting Stung by a Stingray
There are about 200 species of Stingrays in the oceans and some freshwater habitats. The stingray’s color commonly reflects the ocean floor’s shading, mixing it in and camouflaging it from predatory sharks and larger rays. Their flattened bodies are made up of pectoral fins joined to their head and trunk along with their deadly tail trailing behind. Living in only a few feet of water off the beach
Prey for stingrays includes clams, oysters, shrimps, crabs, and mussels. When they find dinner, stingrays crush their meal using strong jaws. Generally, female stingrays give birth once a year. They usually have two to six young at a time.
Stingrays are typically found in the shallow coastal waters of temperate seas in the surf close to the beach. They spend most of their time inactive, half buried in sand, often moving only with the push and pull of the tide. It will only attack people when it feels directly threatened, often when it’s stepped on unintentionally by a person walking in the surf.
Their venom causes intense pain, but the main risk of a stingray injury is the jagged puncture wound which could get infected if it is not rinsed out right away. Like most people, following the basic first-aid treatment of soaking the affected area in hot water to help break down the toxins will suffice.
Each year, approximately 1,500-2,000 stingray injury incidents are reported in the US. Contrary to its reputation, the stingray is a shy and even gentle creature that would pick flight over fight and would rather swim away than strike. It reserves its stinger for its predators like sharks and other large carnivorous fish that could make them lunch.
If threatened, a stingray will whip its tail at you, which can reach up over its head, stinging you with one or more of its spines piercing your skin and leaving a laceration or puncture wound in your skin as the sheath around each spine breaks apart & release venom …………………………………………. Read more
Every year, about 1,500-2,000 stingray injuries are reported in the US most of those occur in places like Florida or California, where there are warm, coastal waters contrary to its reputation, the stingray is a shy and even gentle creature that would rather swim ………………………………………………………….. Read more
The Stingray Shuffle
The best way to prevent being stung by a stingray is to avoid stepping on it when in the ocean by shuffling through the sand rather than lifting your feet and walking normally (commonly referred to as the “stingray shuffle”). This will warn a stingray of your approach, and it will likely swim away.
By shuffling your feet across the sandy bottom you can alert the stingray of your presence; they will uncover themselves and swim away. Stingrays don’t want to be stepped on any more than you want to be stung!
When a Stingray sees a shadow or a foot descending on them it will flip its tail up defensively to puncture with a spine. The spine releases a venom that is very painful described as stepping on a nail. To avoid this situation walk along the surf- Shuffle your feet to stir up the sand.
- If you do get stung let the wound bleed to wash out nasty particles
- Notify a lifeguard
- Place the wound in water as hot as you can stand it for at least 45 minutes-this will denature the toxins and relieve the pain
- If bleeding or pain persists or there are signs of an allergic reaction seek medical attention.
- Drag the fish away from the water’s edge
- Grab the tail & barb at the same time using a heavy wet rag or rubber gloves
- Flip the ray onto its back
- Use pliers or a tool to remove the hook.
- Drag it back into the H2O
- Some folks break the Barb off ……………………………………………………………………. Read more
JimGalloway Author/Editor
