Are southern stingrays dangerous?

Only if trodden on or pinned. The barb is purely defensive.

They blow jets of water into the sand to expose buried molluscs and worms.

How do you avoid being stung?

Shuffle your feet on sand rather than stepping down, and never pin or corner a buried ray.

Southern Stingray in Cozumel

Q: Where do you see them in Cozumel?

On sand flats and channel edges at El Cielo, Playa Corona and Molas.

Southern Stingray (*Hypanus americanus*) in Cozumel: how to identify it, where it is reliably seen, and what it is commonly confused with.

A broad grey-brown diamond with a long whip tail carrying a serrated barb near the base. Usually seen half-buried in sand with only the eyes and spiracles showing.

Quick ID

Scientific name	Hypanus americanus
Group	Sharks & Rays
Typical size	60–150 cm across the disc
Depth range	2–30 m
When to see it	Year-round
Active	Day and night
Conservation status	Near Threatened
Notes	Venomous — do not touch

Where You Will See It In Cozumel

Sand flats and channel edges at El Cielo, Playa Corona and Molas Shallow Reef.

Reliable sites: El Cielo, Playa Corona, Molas Shallow Reef.

Behaviour

Feeds by blowing water into the sand to expose buried molluscs and worms. Buries itself to rest and to ambush, which is why almost all injuries happen to people walking on sand rather than to divers.

Commonly Confused With

Yellow stingray — The yellow stingray is much smaller with a dense pattern of yellow-brown spots and a rounder disc.
Spotted eagle ray — Eagle rays swim in open water with white spots on a dark back and never lie buried.

Diving Etiquette And Safety

Never step down onto sand — shuffle. The barb is a defensive tail-flick, used only when the animal is trodden on or pinned.

Part of the Cozumel marine life guide · see Cozumel dive sites · plan your Cozumel dive trip