A stingray is a flat, diamond-shaped fish that glides gracefully through ocean waters by rippling its wide, wing-like fins. Most stingrays have a long, whip-like tail with one or more sharp, venomous barbs that they use for defense when threatened. They're related to sharks, and like sharks, their skeletons are made of flexible cartilage instead of bone.

Stingrays spend much of their time on the ocean floor, often burying themselves in sand with only their eyes poking out, waiting to ambush crabs, shrimp, and small fish. Their mouths are on their undersides, perfectly positioned for scooping up prey from the seafloor. Some species grow as large as a car, while others are barely bigger than a dinner plate.

Despite their dangerous reputation, stingrays are generally peaceful animals that only use their stinging tail when they feel cornered or accidentally stepped on. Many aquariums have touch tanks where you can gently pet stingrays as they swim by, feeling their smooth, slippery skin. When a stingray swims, it looks almost like it's flying underwater, which is why a group of stingrays is called a fever.