The stingrays are member of the family „Dasyatidae“, a kind of fishes closly related to sharks. There are about 200 species of stingrays in the scientific order Myliobatiformes. Stingrays come in two different general types, the "benthic" or bottom stingrays, and the "pelagic" or swimming stingrays. Stingrays can be found in tropical marine as well as freshwater habitats throught the world. However, many species are euryhaline or capable of living in waters of a wide range of salinity.
Benthic rays, such as the Atlantic stingray, are often found buried in the sand. They usually have a rounded body and their stings, when present, are located near the middle or lower third of their tail. As mostly bottom feeders, these rays generally feed on worms, clams, shrimp, crabs, snails and occasionally fish. Pelagic rays are more active swimmers that have a bat-like shape. Pelagic stingrays have stings that are located close to the body, just behind their pelvic fins. Like bottom rays, most pelagic rays also feed largely on bottom-dwelling organisms.
