This entry was posted on Monday, August 25th, 2008 at 10:52 pm and is filed under About, Adventure Cruises, Information, Sites, Snorkeling, Snuba. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Photo Courtesy Hawaii.edu/Photo Courtesy John Hoover
The Hawaiian stingray, brown ray, broad ray, or lupe in Hawaiian, is an endemic ray found in shallow or deeper waters. On O`ahu, Kane`ohe bay, researchers believe is a ‘pupping’ ground for the rays who have chosen that particular spot, of many, to give birth. Stingrays, a cousin to the shark, are an elasmobranch. Since they are bottom dwellers and like to bury in the sand when they rest, nature put their uterus on top, at the base of the body. A pregnant ray looks like she has a growth on her back. They are live bearers, giving birth to 1 - 3 pups after gestation of about 1 year. The little ones come out looking very much like a long burrito, unfurl and take off, miniatures of their moms and completely on their own.
The Hawaiian name lupe, means kite. In ancient Hawaii, they made kites in four shapes. Round (sun), crescent (moon), wings on the side (bird), and European styles. Research could not produce any record of the Hawaiians eating the rays, but it is possible.
This specie of ray seems to prefer shrimp, crabs, gobies, types of fish that bury at night, and polychaete worms. Divers and avid snorkelers know how to tell if a ray has been feeding in the area. You look for the large “dimples” in the sea floor. When the rays excavate they blow, moving great clouds of sand to expose the prey. According to research they rarely return to the same places for resting. Hammerhead sharks are known for pursuing and taking down small rays. The stingrays are not without defense and aptly named. On top of their tails, about halfway down they have 1 - 3 barbs. The barbs (made of modified dermal denticles) are covered with a skin-like sheath and underneath the sheath is a neurotoxin. When frightened, or feeling threatened, they will whip their tail toward the threat. Should it make contact the barb could break off, the neurotoxin embedded in the victim, and the ray is free to swiftly depart, hopefully safe to live another day. The barbs, if used, do regrow, but according to researchers it takes quite awhile. What a magnificent animal this shy one is! Coming to Hawaii promises many things. Spending time with your marine life is a must! See you soon!!
