White-blotched River Stingray
Scientific Name
Class
Order
Range
Habitat
Estimated Wild Population
More Information
Physical Description
White-blotched river stingrays are black with white spots across the top of their body and tail. Their enlarged pectoral fins make them look like floating discs. At maturity, they average about 16 inches across, but individuals can reach up to 30 inches. Their mouth and gills are located on their underside, allowing them to skim the river bottom for food. They primarily feed on small invertebrates, fish, snails, and crabs.
Interesting Fact 1
White-blotched river stingrays have higher fertility compared to other freshwater stingrays. They can produce up to 12 pups in a single litter.
Interesting Fact 2
The bright polka dots on their black skin helps them blend into sun-dappled streams.
Interesting Fact 3
These stingrays hide from predators under sand or gravel, but can also use their tail barb to defend themselves.
Commitment to Care
Lincoln Park Zoo prioritizes individual well-being over everything else. Guided by scientific research, staff and volunteers work to provide the best welfare outcomes for each individual in the zoo’s care.
Support Your Zoo
Animals Depend On People Too
When you ADOPT an animal, you support world-class animal care by helping to provide specially formulated diets, new habitat elements, and regular veterinary checkups.
Wish List
The Wish List is full of one-of-a-kind items for the zoo’s animals, including nutritious snacks and enrichment items to keep them active and healthy.
Take Action With Us
Wildlife face many daunting challenges—some global, like planet-wide climate change, and some that affect individuals, like an animal ingesting plastic—but now is not the time to despair. None of these problems are too big for us to come together and solve.
