The Unstartled Steppes of Dream
I am Ashley.
This is my personal blog. If you want just marine biology, go here.
I love the world; I really don't like people.
I balance all this animosity towards the human race with being an almost always kind and gentle being to all creatures.
I'm highly introverted and nature is my primary escape from humanity.
Creepy-crawly-slimy things are my favorites. Dinosaurs are fantastic.
Future marine biologist; presently an amateur entomologist, ichthyologist, artist, biologist, and writer.
Literature, video game, and music connoisseur.
I'm so full of passion for the world that it hurts.
I think a lot, I laugh a lot, I love a lot.
Almost none of the photos are mine and only some of the drawings are mine.
Listen in.
New Zealand Eagle Ray (Myliobatis tenuicaudatus)
Photo © Matthew Oldfield
(Source: matthewoldfield.photoshelter.com)
Southern Stingray (Dasyatis americana)
The Blue-Spotted Stingray (Taeniura lymma), which prefers to hide in the sand around coral heads and rocks, is often spotted by its blue-striped tail. These rays travel in groups as the tide rises to feed on mollusks, crabs, shrimp, and worms.
With a wingspan of up to three meters, the Spotted Eagle Ray (Aetobatus narinari) is a giant beauty. Unlike most other rays, the spotted eagle ray is a very active swimmer. Most of its swimming time is spent in open water, although it is also commonly seen inshore. These rays are very agile and can twist and turn to escape predatory sharks. Sometimes, small groups splash around at the surface, making spectacular leaps out of the water.
Fish experts believe the giant stingray, such as this one in Cambodia’s Mekong River, is the largest freshwater species on Earth. This specimen measured more than 13 feet (4 meters) long.
Photograph courtesy Zeb Hogan
(source)
Reticulate Whipray (Himantura uarnak)
Length: 4.5m
Location: Coastal waters of Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, Indian Ocean, and western Pacific
Rays and Skates
Rays and skates:
- Flattened bodies
- Most live on/near bottom
- Gill slits on underside of body
- Pectoral fins fused with head (look like wings)
Stingrays:
- Whip-like tail, spine
- Venom glands
- Feed on clams, crabs, small fish
Electric rays:
- Organs on head produce electricity
- Shock of 200 volts
Skates:
- Smaller tails
- No venom
(Pictured: Manta Rays via National Geographic)
Round Stingray (Urolophus halleri)
Length: 58cm
Location: Eastern Pacific
(photo by Lance Allan©)
Southern Stingray (Dasyatis americana)
Width: 2m
Location: Western Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea
(photo from jeffk42 on flickr)
