Because of its flat diamond shape and long skinny tail, the Southern stingray looks almost like a kite flying gracefully through the water. Its skeleton has no bones, but instead is made of cartilage, which makes the stingray very flexible. This is not the only cool thing about its body, however. For instance, the stingray is the perfect shape and color to blend in with the sandy bottom of the ocean’s shallow coastal waters. Its mouth is on its underside, which allows it to scoop up the crabs, shellfish, worms, conch, shrimp and small fishes it uncovers on the ocean floor with its fins. Meanwhile, its eyes are on the top side of its body, keeping a lookout for predators.

The stingray has many “friends” in the ocean. As it uncovers food on the ocean floor, other fish follow it to eat the leftovers. The stingray will also visit areas where bluehead wrasse and Spanish hogfish live. These fish clean parasites from the stingray’s body, giving the stingray a bath and providing the fish with what they consider a good meal.

In general, the stingray is a peaceful creature. However, if it is stepped on or feels threatened, it will lash out with its long tail. Its tail has one or more very sharp spines at the base that can easily puncture the skin, at which point the stingray can also inject venom.