Yellow stingrays (Urobatis jamaicensis), also known as yellow-spotted stingrays, are found in the shallow coastal environments of the tropical western Atlantic Ocean. They bury themselves in the sand and move along with the ocean currents. They swim by rippling or undulating their bodies in waves, or by flapping their sides like wings, making them appear to glide as if in underwater flight.
Size: They grow up to 30 inches in diameter.
Life Span: 15-25 years
Color: Their backs are a yellow-brownish, with spots that form a variety of patterns, Their underside can be yellow, green, or brownish white.
Continent: North and South America.
Range: The Western Atlantic Ocean from North Carolina to Northern South America. Also the Gulf of Mexico and throughout Caribbean.
Habitat: Found along shallow, sandy ocean bottoms, escpecially near coral reefs.
Food: Feeds on shrimp, small fish, clams, and worms. Yellow stingrays raise the front end of their bodies to form a tiny cave, to attract prey seeking.
Reproduction: Like other stingrays, the yellow stingray is ovoviviparous, which means that its young develop in eggs that remain inside the female's body until they hatch or are about to hatch. Litters are usually 3 or 4 pups with an unknown gestation period.
Fun Fact: Yellow stingrays are generally not dangerous to humans, but their spiky tails can be very painful and cause damage if touched.