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There are sixty-nine different types of electric rays. Their electric charge is used to scare away potential predators as much as it’s used to hunt for prey. Electric rays are not only able to send out electricity— they’re excellent at detecting electrical currents as well. Many marine biologists believe that electric rays have a very high level of electrosensitivity.

This is just one type of electric ray.

Electric rays are found throughout the ocean, from thousands of feet deep to shallow coastal waters. It’s rare that an electric ray will sting a human (unless they feel threatened), as they typically eat small fish.

RAY MYTH: ALL RAYS CAN STING While the stingray has a poisonous stinger, this is not the case for all rays! There are over six-hundred different types of rays, and the stingray is the only group that is able to sting and poison its prey.

Many other rays have tails that they use for swimming, but only the stingray uses its tail strictly for self-defense. The stingray’s tail is usually only dangerous to humans if the stingray is stepped on. When pressure is applied to the top of a stingray’s body (such as pressure from a human’s foot), a reflex occurs in the body of the stingray and the tail is pushed upward and forward into the victim, causing harm. While a stingray sting can hurt badly, it’s rare that these stings are fatal. People who live in areas where stingrays are common recommend doing the “stingray shuffle,” that is, dragging your feet when walking through the water—this will push stingrays out of the way so you do not step on them and risk getting hurt! SIDEBAR

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