stingrays are large, mysterious sea creatures. Often wider than long, these flat cartilaginous fish comprise more than 200 species and are organized into eight broad scientific groups. Basic characteristics include a broad, flat body with a tail, spiracles (small openings that allow breathing), and a stinger with venom. Despite their docile nature, stingrays will use their tail spine when threatened. A stingray was responsible for killing world famous animal activist Steve Irwin aka the crocodile Hunter. Ranging in size from less than a foot to nearly 10, let’s take a closer look at the 8 largest stingrays in the world.
Stingrays, mantas, skates and measurements
Although they are similar in many ways, mantas are different from stingrays because they have no stinger. This article is all about stingrays. Skates are also related to stingrays but are separated in their own family and will not appear on this list.
There are a few ways to measure the overall size of stingrays. Due to their unique body shape, disc width is used in combination with body height and weight. The tail length of stingrays varies greatly, and tail length is sometimes included in body length, but since the vast majority of a stingray’s mass occurs in the disc region, we chose body length as the standard length measurement. Tail length and size are included where information is available.
In addition, since many species of stingrays have not been well studied, the list below organizes stingrays according to generally accepted scientific groups. The largest species of each group is listed. In some cases, there is simply a lack of comprehensive data.
8. American Round Stingrays (Urotrygonidae)
- Yellow stingray (Urobatis jamaicensis)
- Body height: 26 inches (66 cm)
- Disc width: 14 inches (35.5 cm)
- Data insufficient for average weight
These round rays are generally small and live in tropical and temperate waters near the Americas. These rays were once included in stingrays, but have been separated into their own family. Many species of American round stingrays have not been accurately observed and the taxonomy will no doubt change as more discoveries are made. Currently, the yellow stingray (although small) is the largest of the family. The yellow stingray has a conservation status of: Least concern and can be an aquarium pet, provided the aquarium is large enough. Like stingrays, the disc shape is rounder, the tails are slender, and they have a venomous spine that can cause painful injuries. Stingrays will not attack unless threatened but have the ability to do so and should be handled with caution.
7. Stingares (round rays) (Urolophidae)
- Sandyback Stingaree (Urolophus bucculentus)
- Body height: 35 inches
- Data insufficient for average weight and disc width
Stingrays, also known as round rays, are medium-sized stingrays that are common in the Indo-Pacific region. The waters around Australia are a hotbed for stingarees, with dozens of identified species. Stingares are slow, bottom-dwelling fish with a disc shape that oscillates from round to diamond-shaped. They are quite common, and according to the IUCN, many species have a conservation status of least concern.
The sand-backed stingaree is the largest of the group, although further taxonomic classification may change that. Accidental catches from commercial fishing vessels have left this species in a vulnerable conservation status. Adults are usually yellow to brown in color; many also have small pale spots.
6. Sixgill Stingrays (Hexatrygonidae)
- Zesgill stingray (hexatrygon bicelli)
- Length: up to 5.5 ft. (1.7m)
- Data insufficient for average weight and disc width
A relatively new species, and the only species in the family Hexatrygonidae, the sixgill was first observed in 1980. It is the only member of its family and is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. This is a deep-sea dweller commonly found from about 1,500 feet to more than 3,600 feet below the ocean surface.
The six gill can be distinguished from other stingrays by the presence of six gills instead of the usual five. The sixgill also has a long, pointed snout and a mouth snake with 100 rows of small, stubby teeth. The habitat of this limp stingray extends through the Indo-Pacific region, with populations ranging from off the coast of South Africa to Japan, Australia and isolated areas in the Pacific.
Scientists assume that the snake’s mouth is used to suck food from the bottom of the ocean. Like many stingrays, the sixgill likes to eat worms, mussels, oysters, snails, shrimpand other soil organisms. The biggest threat to the six gills is accidental trapping in commercial fishing nets. In general, the stingray is purplish brown with white on the underside.
5. Butterfly Rays (Gymnuridae)
- spiny butterfly ray (Gymnura altavela)
- Length: 3-5 ft.
- Disc width: 7 ft. 3 in (rare, 13 ft., unverified)
- Weight: up to 130 lbs.
Butterfly rays are a large group of stingray species, with the spiny butterfly ray being the largest. Butterfly rays are found in the Atlantic waters off the coast from Massachusetts to Buenos Aires, Argentina. They are also common on the eastern edge of the Atlantic, from roughly Cameroon in the north to Italy and eastwards to the Black Sea. The IUCN currently lists the thornback butterfly ray as endangered, although local populations in the Mediterranean and off the coast of South America critically endangered.
With a large, diamond-shaped disc, the spiny butterfly ray is much wider than it is long. Like similar bottom dwellers, it relies on camouflage and surprise to hunt and prefers sandy ocean floors or brackish water with muddy substrates. They are usually a nude color and are generally not considered harmful to human
s.
Accidental stings have occurred due to people accidentally stepping on them.
4. Deepwater Stingrays (Plesiobatidae)
- Deepwater stingray (Plesiobatis daviesi)
- Length: up to 8.9 ft. (2.7m)
- Disc width: up to 4.9 ft. (1.5m)
- Weight: ~260 lbs.
The only species in its family, the deep-water stingray, is a large, widespread ray in the Indo-Pacific. The deep water is generally longer than it is wide, unlike the spiny butterfly ray. In general, the deep water has up to 60 rows of teeth, less than the 100 rows reported for the six-gilled stingray. The IUCN currently lists deepwater as the least concern.
Typically among rays, the deepwater likes to feed on small crustaceans, cephalopods (octopuses, cuttlefish, etc.), and some bony fish, including eel. Kitefin sharks known to prey on them. Scientists assume that the deepwater stingray is aplacental viviparous, meaning an egg in an embryo grows inside the female until it is ready to hatch. However, extensive data on the birth cycle of the stingray is lacking. Most of the rear half of the tail supports a long, leaf-shaped caudal fin.
3. Whiptail Stingrays (Dasyatidae)
- small-eyed stingray (Megatrygon microps)
- Length: 10 ft. total
- Disc width: up to 7 ft. 2.5in (~2.2m)
- Weight: data insufficient
A large family of 35 species, Whiptail Stingrays are common worldwide. They prefer tropical and temperate oceans, as well as freshwater locations in Africa, Asia and Australia. The largest among them and third on our list is the small-eyed stingray. The smalleye has broad pectoral fins, large spiracles, small, flared eyes, and a wide mouth. Due to its rarity, the IUCN does not have enough data to give the species an accurate conservation status.
Typical of whiptails, the smalleye’s tail is whip-like at the tip. The ray is reddish brown on top, with the tail appearing darker and white below. There are also white spots next to the eyes. The Kleineye is widespread in the Indo-Pacific region, although it is not clear whether the regions where they have been spotted are connected or disjointed.
2. Eagle Rays (Myliobatidae)
- Ornate Eagle Ray (Aetomylaeus vespertilio)
- Length: ~13 ft. (4m)
- Disc width: 7 ft. 10.5 in (240 cm)
- Weight: data insufficient
Eagle rays are an excellent family of swimmers that can often break through the water’s surface up to several feet in the air, hence the ‘eagle’ part of their name. These rays have a distinct diamond shape and long tails. Like most rays, they use camouflage and stealth to prey on benthic organisms such as mollusks, crustaceans and certain fish. The graceful eagle ray is the largest of the group, although that may change with later discoveries. The ornate eagle ray is rare and has a conservation status of endangered by the IUCN.
1. River Stingrays (Potomatrygonidae)
- Short-tailed rays (Potomatrygonidae brachyura)
- Length (including tail): up to 20 ft.
- Disc width: up to 5.2 ft.
- Weight: up to ~490 lbs.
River stingrays contain the largest stingray species living on Earth today. They are more circular in shape than other types of rays, and while the vast majority of species live in fresh water, there are a few species of river rays (such as the Chupare) that live in salt water. This group of stingrays is mainly found in rivers of South America, and the taxonomy of species continues to change as more data becomes available. The short-tailed ray is the largest of the group, although there isn’t enough information to give it a conservation status.
River stingrays are covered with teeth; sharp, tooth-like scales on their backs. Most river stingray species also have the iconic stinger on their tail, which periodically sheds and regrows. Most stings are accidental, but not entirely uncommon, and while death is rare, the discomfort and pain can be severe. The short-tailed stingray mainly lives in the Rio de la Plata basin, and its tail, although short, is very thick and muscular. Like most stingrays, the shorttail feeds on crustaceans, mollusks and fish. The greatest threats to the short-tailed ray are overfishing and habitat loss.