stingray

Everyday

A stingray is a flat sea fish with a wide body shaped like a disc and a long thin tail that has a sharp, venomous spine. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons about the ocean, stingrays are cartilaginous fish, related to sharks; they glide along the sand and eat shellfish. In beach safety, children learn the «stingray shuffle»: slide your feet in shallow water so stingrays swim away instead of being stepped on. Stingrays are shy, not aggressive; they sting only to defend themselves.

Examples

• A stingray glided over the sand. tree →
• We saw stingrays at the aquarium. tree →
• Shuffle your feet so you don't step on a stingray. tree →
• The stingray's tail has a sharp barb. tree →
• Stingrays are related to sharks. tree →
• A stingray hides under the sand with only its eyes showing. tree →
• In Australia we fed the stingrays at the beach. tree →

Note

Plural: stingrays. One word. Myth: stingrays attack people — they only sting when stepped on or grabbed. If stung, get help from a lifeguard; hot water helps the pain. Related: manta ray (has no sting).