Are Stingrays Dangerous?

Stingrays glide smoothly and seemingly effortlessly in the water and are quite fascinating to watch. They have the erroneous reputation of not being dangerous as they look friendly and docile.

But as the world learned to its horror last year, a stingray caused the untimely death of Australian conservationist and Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin in the waters of north Queensland.

In fact, stingrays are the largest of the venomous fish and the tail of the stingray carries at least one serrated barb or spine up to 37 centimetres long.

• Stingrays, Blue-Ringed Octopus, Snakes, Cone Shells, Stonefish
• Dangerous Creatures: Watch out for the Aussie Nasties
• See the Creatures of the Deep at Sydney Aquarium

Photo: Giant stingray, courtesy Sydney Aquarium