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Stingray Injury

Stingray Injury Overview

Stingrays do not actually attack. Injuries from these sharklike creatures are usually defensive actions. Once disturbed, their venomous stinger (spine) near the base of their tails lashes out and can cause punctures or lacerations (cuts). Their mouth parts do not cause injury, but a hickey can occur if they try to suck you.

Stingrays are aquatic, cartilaginous vertebrates who are members of the shark family. They have flat bodies and winglike fins. Stingrays are nonassertive and can be found lying in the sand in shallow water at the beach or swimming free in open waters. Most are saltwater creatures, but a few live in fresh water.

  • In 1608, Captain John Smith, the explorer who founded the Jamestown settlement, was injured by a stingray in the Chesapeake Bay.
  • Annually, about 1,500 stingray-induced injuries occur in the United States.



Next: Stingray Injury Causes »

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Stingray Injury

Scuba Diving: Stingray Sting »

Stingray Sting Overview

Stingrays have flat bodies with long, slender tails that have serrated spines. Their serrated spines can cause lacerations (cuts) and puncture wounds. The spines also contain venom. Stingrays are widely distributed in tropical to temperate waters. They are not aggressive, so an injury from a stingray usually occurs when a swimmer or diver accidentally steps on one. Stingray stings are one of the most common dive- and beach-related injuries.

Stingray Sting Symptoms

  • The person feels immediate, sharp, excruciating pain that peaks in 1-2 hours.
  • The wound bleeds.
  • The wounded area may become swollen and may turn blue or red.
  • Lymph nodes may become swollen.
  • Symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, muscle cramps, tremors, paralysis, fainting, seizures, elevated heart rate, and decreased blood pressure may develop. Death may e...

Read the Scuba Diving: Stingray Sting article »



Read What Your Physician is Reading on eMedicine

Stingray Envenomation »

Stingrays (ie, elasmobranchs) are bottom-dwelling cartilaginous fish that have a flattened body, one or more stout spines on the tail, gill slits on the lower surface of the head, teeth modified into 2 large crushing plates, and no dorsal fin.

Read More on eMedicine »

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