264 Northern Sting Ray 



Size: Largest specimen recorded was 5 feet wide. A speci- 

 men about 3 feet wide weighed 58 pounds. 

 General Information: Uncommon in the region north of 

 North Carolina. It is usually found inshore in shoal water. 

 It feeds on crabs, clams, shrimp, worms, and small fishes. 

 Newborn young are probably about 8 inches wide. 

 Economic Importance: None. 



Northern Sting Ray 

 Dasyatis centroura (Mitchill) 





Color: Olive-brown or dark brown on upper surface of 

 body; white on lower surface. 



Distribution: Coastal waters from Georges Bank and Cape 

 Cod to Cape Hatteras. 



Size: Probably the largest sting ray in the western North 

 Atlantic. Maximum width reported nearly 7 feet. Maximum 

 length possibly 13-14 feet. A specimen 7 feet wide was 

 said to weigh 350 pounds. 



General Information: Often found in shoal waters near 

 inlets and in bays but has also been taken in depths of 

 120-180 feet. Common in summer off the coasts of south- 

 ern New England and the Middle Atlantic. Feeds on crabs, 

 clams, squid, and worms. Little is known about its life 

 history. 



Economic Importance: None. Commonly taken by the 

 commercial fisheries. Often caught by surf-casters along 

 the New York and New Jersey beaches. 



