Stingrays are seasonal visitors to the waters off the coast of New Jersey. These cartilaginous fish arrive during the warmer months as part of their annual migration pattern along the Atlantic seaboard. Stingrays are not aggressive, and their primary concern to humans is purely defensive, occurring when a person accidentally steps on one that is buried in the sand in shallow ocean or bay waters.
The Stingray Species Found in New Jersey
The most frequently encountered species in New Jersey is the Cownose Ray (Rhinoptera bonasus). This ray is easily identifiable by the unique shape of its head, which features bi-lobed fins that resemble a cow’s nose. Cownose Rays are part of the eagle ray family, possessing a broad, kite-shaped disc that typically reaches a wingspan of up to four feet.
Their upper body displays a brown to olive coloration, which provides effective camouflage against the ocean floor, while their underside is white. A long, whip-like tail trails behind the body, featuring one or two serrated, venomous barbs located near the base. Other species like the Bluntnose Stingray (Dasyatis sayi) and the Bullnose Ray (Myliobatis freminvillii) also visit the coast.
Seasonal Presence and Preferred Habitats
The presence of stingrays in New Jersey depends entirely on water temperature, which drives their seasonal migration. They travel north from southern waters, typically arriving in late spring (around May) and departing by early fall (often October). This migration is a search for feeding grounds and suitable conditions for breeding and gestation.
These rays prefer shallow, coastal habitats, particularly bays, estuaries, and the surf zone along ocean beaches. They favor areas with soft, sandy bottoms where they can easily use their pectoral fins to stir up sediment and forage for food like clams, oysters, and other benthic invertebrates. The rays often bury themselves just beneath the surface of the sand, making them difficult to spot in the water.
Stingray Safety and Prevention
Since stingrays are non-aggressive, nearly all stings occur when a person inadvertently steps directly onto a buried ray. The ray’s natural reaction to being startled or pinned down is to whip its tail and deploy the venomous spine in defense. The most effective method for preventing a sting is a technique known as the “Stingray Shuffle”.
The Stingray Shuffle involves shuffling or sliding your feet along the sandy bottom when wading into the water. This action creates vibrations and physically nudges the ray, alerting it to your presence and giving it time to swim away. Shuffling minimizes the chance of pinning the ray to the bottom, which is when it is most likely to use its barb.
In the event of a sting, the first aid protocol focuses on treating the intense pain caused by the venom. Stingray venom is composed of heat-sensitive proteins, meaning heat will break down the toxins. The recommended treatment is to immediately clean the wound with saltwater and then soak the injured area in water as hot as can be tolerated for 45 to 90 minutes. Medical attention should still be sought to ensure no barb fragments remain and to prevent a secondary infection.