Baby stingrays, often called pups, are miniature versions of their adult counterparts. This article explores their appearance, birthing process, and how they differ from mature stingrays.
Key Visual Characteristics
At birth, a baby stingray is small, often fitting into the palm of a hand. Pups typically range from 6 to 13 inches (15 to 33 cm) in length. Their overall shape is a flattened disc, which can be rounded or diamond-like, depending on the species. This disc is formed by their pectoral fins, fused with their head.
Baby stingrays usually have muted, sandy tones, providing camouflage against the seafloor. Their skin texture can vary, being smooth or covered with small denticles. Their eyes, located on top of their head, often appear proportionally larger than in adults. Behind their eyes are spiracles, small holes that allow them to draw in water for breathing. Their mouth is on the underside of their body.
How Baby Stingrays Are Born
Stingrays give live birth, unlike egg-laying fish. Most are ovoviviparous, meaning eggs hatch inside the mother’s body, and pups are nourished internally. Embryos absorb nutrients from a yolk sac, and later, the mother provides uterine fluid, sometimes called “uterine milk,” for continued growth.
Pups are born fully formed and independent, ready to swim and forage almost immediately after birth. They emerge rolled up like a cannoli, with pectoral fins folded, which then unfurl once they are in the water. A female stingray can give birth to a litter of up to seven pups, though some species may have up to thirteen, while others typically have one or two. This process ensures the young are capable of survival without parental care.
Differences from Adult Stingrays
While baby stingrays are miniature versions of their parents, subtle distinctions exist beyond overall size. The most apparent difference is their smaller scale, as adult stingrays can reach substantial sizes, sometimes over a meter in width. Proportionally, baby stingrays may have larger eyes relative to their body disc.
Their tails, while possessing the characteristic venomous spine, are also less developed. Although the spine is present and functional at birth, it is smaller and initially encased in a pliable sheath that sloughs off shortly after delivery. This protective covering allows the pups to pass through the birth canal without injuring the mother. While juvenile coloration typically mirrors adults for camouflage, some species might display more distinct or slightly different patterns that change as they mature.