Stats

Lifespan

10-15 yrs

Size

Small

Diet

Carnivore

Activity

Nocturnal

Social

Solitary

Biome

Coastal marine

Range

West Africa

Movement

Swimming

Breeding

Live Birth

Defense

Venom

Status

Near Threatened

About

A small freshwater stingray of West African rivers, recognized by its nearly circular disc and scattered pearlescent white spots. Unlike most stingrays it is adapted to river currents, and a serrated venomous barb on its whip-like tail makes it Near Threatened yet dangerous when stepped on.

Life cycle

1. 1.
   newborn pup

   A pup is born free-swimming, a miniature of the adult, and begins feeding immediately.
2. 2.
   juvenile

   A juvenile glides along the bottom, feeding on small invertebrates and growing its disc.
3. 3.
   subadult

   A near-adult ray reaches close to mature size and ranges into deeper water.
4. 4.
   adult

   Fully grown.

Learn more

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Taxonomy

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Chondrichthyes

Order

Myliobatiformes

Family

Dasyatidae

Genus

Fontitrygon

Species

Fontitrygon margaritella