Saltwater Stingrays: Why Not Give One a Try?
parrothead
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We have heard of and seen pictures of stingrays on TV among other venues from time to time. We have also witnessed the death of Steve Irwin(Crocodile Hunter) due to being stung by a stingray while filming them in nature. Then there are those fortunate enough to be able to actually swim with the ra 
ys at "Stingray City" on the Cayman Islands. For those of you who are enthralled, mystified and find stingrays rather appealing as far as their behavior and appearance are concerned, there is hope for those wishing to purchase a stingray and keep successfully in a captive environment, and not just by those that work at their neighborhood public aquarium.
I have always been fascinated with sharks and rays since I was a little boy, having many opportunities to view the rays and sharks at various aquarium settings. I have also been fortunate to swim with rays that reside along the Gulf Coast of Florida. I have even witnessed my brother get stung by one as he just so happened to step on one that had been camouflaged underneath the sand in the shallows at our beach. I assure you that you do not want to go through something as painful as that, but other than that possible problem, stingrays are truly a unique animal. Having said this however, one should be aware that stingrays are NOT aggressive towards humans and the harming of these timid animals should not be administered.
There are both fresh and saltwater rays, and they all carry venom in their barb located in their tail as a form of protection and defense. Other than that however they are completely harmless and docile in nature, often lying at the bottom of the shallow sea floor, covered with sand to protect them as they lie in wait for an unsuspecting meal to come around. They do not have teeth but rather use a system of two bony plates, used to crush shells of crabs, clams and prawns, which are their primary food staple. They will accept small fish, brine and mysis shrimp and formula foods in captivity however. There really is nothing that they will not eat as long as it is cut up enough to fit in their mouths.
I have always been fascinated with sharks and rays since I was a little boy, having many opportunities to view the rays and sharks at various aquarium settings. I have also been fortunate to swim with rays that reside along the Gulf Coast of Florida. I have even witnessed my brother get stung by one as he just so happened to step on one that had been camouflaged underneath the sand in the shallows at our beach. I assure you that you do not want to go through something as painful as that, but other than that possible problem, stingrays are truly a unique animal. Having said this however, one should be aware that stingrays are NOT aggressive towards humans and the harming of these timid animals should not be administered.
There are both fresh and saltwater rays, and they all carry venom in their barb located in their tail as a form of protection and defense. Other than that however they are completely harmless and docile in nature, often lying at the bottom of the shallow sea floor, covered with sand to protect them as they lie in wait for an unsuspecting meal to come around. They do not have teeth but rather use a system of two bony plates, used to crush shells of crabs, clams and prawns, which are their primary food staple. They will accept small fish, brine and mysis shrimp and formula foods in captivity however. There really is nothing that they will not eat as long as it is cut up enough to fit in their mouths.