Description

The Atlantic Stingray (Hypanus Sabina) is a species of stingray common along the Atlantic coast of North America from Chesapeake Bay to Mexico, including brackish and freshwater habitats. It may be distinguished from other stingrays in the area by its relatively elongated snout.

One of the smallest Stingray species, the Atlantic Stingrays grow to a maximum length of 24″ inches. It has a spade-shaped pectoral fin disk with rounded corners and concave anterior margins. There are three stout papillae on the floor of the mouth; the teeth are rounded, with a flat, blunt surface. During the reproductive season, the teeth of mature male Atlantic Stingrays change to feature long, sharp cusps that curve towards the corners of the mouth, for gripping onto females during mating. The tail is long and whip-like, with a serrated spine measuring a quarter of the width of the disk. The spine is replaced annually between June and October. Dorsal and ventral fin folds are present on the tail.