Freshwater stingrays are predominately found in rivers and streams in South America, specifically the Amazon River Basin, which has the highest diversity of freshwater stingrays.
Freshwater stingrays reside in shallow, slow moving waters that allow them to easily rest along the bottom. They enjoy sandy, muddy riverbeds that provide perfect coverage and hunting grounds. Vegetated areas also provide the stingrays with plenty of food and hiding spots.
Two other locations where freshwater stingrays can be found are in Rio Negro, where dark waters provide camouflage, and the Orinoco River, which supports a variety of stingray species.
Marine stingrays are predominately found in tropical and subtropical oceans around the world, including the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Ocean.
Marine stingrays reside in sandy, muddy areas that help them camouflage and ambush prey. They enjoy seagrass beds and coral reefs for feeding and foraging. They also enjoy mangroves and estuaries to provide protection from predators.
Marine stingrays can be found along the Eastern U.S coast, the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, Eastern South America, East Africa, India, Southeast Asia, Australia, Indonesia, Philippines, and the Great Barrier Reef.