Marine & Freshwater Stingrays

Freshwater Stingray Biology

Freshwater stingrays have a flattened, disc-shaped body that is often oval or rounded. They have smooth, velvet skin that helps them camouflage against riverbeds. They are usually brown or gray in color, with bright spots along the tops of their bodies. 

Some species of freshwater stingrays remain small, only growing up to 30 cm in diameter. Other species of freshwater stingrays can grow up to lengths of 1 meter in diameter. 

Marine Stingray Biology

Saltwater, or marine stingrays have a flattened, disc-shaped body that is often oval, or diamond shaped. They come in more varieties of colors such as gray, brown, tan, and even green. They have spotted or mottled patterns on the tops of their bodies that mimic the substrate beneath them.

The most common marine stingrays are smaller, growing anywhere from 30 to 60 cm in diameter. Larger species of marine stingrays can grow up to 10 ft in diameter.