Key West Stingrays
Stingrays are a majestic sight to behold in the water. Key West snorkeling often includes tours looking for stingrays, as well as tropical fish, brightly hued coral, and dolphins. The stingray posses a grace and ethereal spirit that clashes with it's deadly reputation.
There are many varieties of stingrays: Cownose, Spotted Eagle, Devil, Giant, Atlantic, and many other species inhabit the waters of Key West. Though these creatures are a tourist draw, many visitors know very little about them. Stingrays, for example, have a specific season which populations increase dramatically for mating purposes. Between April and October, stingrays converge on warmer waters, making caution essential for swimmers and people enjoying the water. Shuffling feet in the sandy bottom as you walk into the water is recommended because rays bury themselves in the sand to avoid predators and are not easily detected with the naked eye.
It is important to note that not all stingrays are aggressive. Rays feed off of shrimp, fish, octopus, crab, and other sea life and do not seek out humans. Only in extreme cases do stingrays feel threatened enough to attack. Rays possess a barbed point in their tail they use for defending themselves. This barb contains poison and can be deadly, so it is imperative that a person practices common sense and not try to pick up, play with, or aggravate a ray if it is found while on a Key West snorkel.
Many species of rays are protected in Florida waters and the harming of these animals can result in serious penalties. The best course of action is to enjoy the sight of these unusual animals from afar and respect nature in it's own environment. Learning more about stingrays can help visitors understand that these creatures are not to be feared but to be cherished and their right to survive and thrive should be protected.