For a long time, marine scientists believed stingrays were silent inhabitants of the ocean floor. However, recent discoveries have challenged this assumption. While stingrays do not produce vocal sounds like many other animals, specific species have been observed to generate distinct clicks. This new understanding represents a shift in how we perceive their underwater communication.
The Biological Reasons Why Not and How They Do
Stingrays, as cartilaginous fish, lack swim bladders and vocal cords, organs common in many sound-producing animals. Despite this anatomical absence, certain species like the mangrove whipray and cowtail stingray voluntarily produce short, sharp clicking sounds.
The precise mechanism for these clicks is still under investigation. Hypotheses suggest they are produced through rapid movements of the head, jaw, or spiracles (respiratory openings behind their eyes). These intentional clicks are distinct from incidental feeding noises and often occur when an observer approaches the ray.
How Stingrays Really Communicate
Since complex vocalizations are not their primary mode, stingrays rely on various non-auditory signals to interact. Body language plays a significant role in their communication, with movements like fin undulations, tail positioning, and posture conveying information. For instance, a raised tail in species with venomous barbs can act as a warning signal. Some species can also alter their skin patterns or colors, which may serve as visual cues for mating readiness or as a display to deter threats.
Chemical signals, known as pheromones, are another important communication tool for stingrays. These chemical compounds are released into the water and can convey details about reproductive status, social hierarchy, or territorial boundaries. Specialized sensory organs allow stingrays to detect these pheromones, influencing their behavior. Physical contact, including biting during mating rituals, also serves as a form of communication.
Stingrays also possess a unique sensory ability called electroreception, allowing them to detect weak electrical fields in the water. This sense is primarily used for locating prey, as muscle contractions from other marine life generate faint electrical impulses. While its role in direct social communication is not fully confirmed, some scientists hypothesize it could potentially be used to exchange subtle electrical cues with other rays.
Sounds You Might Hear Near Stingrays
While stingrays can produce intentional clicks, other sounds heard in their vicinity are often incidental or originate from their environment. As they move across the seafloor, their large, flat bodies can displace water, creating subtle swishing or rustling noises. These sounds are a byproduct of locomotion rather than deliberate communication.
Feeding activities can also generate audible sounds, particularly when stingrays consume prey with hard shells. Some stingray species crush shellfish and crustaceans with their dental plates, producing distinct crunching or cracking sounds. These noises are a result of their feeding mechanics and are not intended for communication. Additionally, the marine environment is filled with sounds from other creatures, such as snapping shrimp or other fish species, which might be mistakenly attributed to stingrays.