Stranded Stingray in the Marine Protected Area

 

Few days ago, a large stingray was found on the shore of the Marine Protected Area Torre del Cerrano. From the photo provided by Andrea Giannangelo, Dr. Giuseppe Simone Militello, owner of Studio GETA, believes that it was a specimen of Common Stingray (Dasyatis Pastinaca, Linnaeus 1758).

Razza spiaggiata

The common stingray is diamond-shaped and can reach 2.5 m in length and 1.4 in width. Its skin is smooth and olive green or brown. The tail is provided with a serrated and robust spine, connected to venom glands that make this species a potentially dangerous one, although it is very shy by nature and escapes crowded shores.

The stingray is found throughout the Mediterranean and prefers sandy or muddy sea bottoms between 2 and 200 m deep. It uses the pectoral fins to dig the bottom in search of prey (shellfish, crustaceans and sea worms).

The stranding of marine creatures as fascinating as the stingray should not scare bathers. Indeed, it demonstrates the vitality of our sea and the high biodiversity value of the Marine Protected Area Torre del Cerrano.