Dangerous Sea Creatures

Like many things in life we hear about freak accidents that take life, some, which happen in scuba diving – these occurrences, tend to put others off taking up these pursuits. One such freak accident was that which happen to Steve Erwin, who died tragically from a stingray defence mechanism, which pierced his heart.

Stingrays are one of the most maligned species of fish, which under normal conditions pose no threat to divers or swimmers. They are bottom feeders as one can clearly deduced from its tough mouth being on its underside, feeding plainly on molluscs, crabs and dead fish.

In one particular area of the world there is a place called “Stingray City”, which is located in the Cayman Islands a short boat ride from shore. Here tourists and divers can interact with hundreds of these creatures without fear, mainly because the area is a small-submerged sandbar where tourists feed these fish by hand. They are so used to humans they will take food straight from your hand, and compete with each other to get the tasty morsels of squid that is usually provided by the boats crew.

Diving down into deeper water watching Stingrays in their underwater ballet, swarm around divers wanting to be fed, allowing themselves to be held and stroked. Obviously, you have to keep your hands away from the large barb in its tail, and giving it the respect it deserves.

http://scienceray.com/biology/marine-biology/killers-of-the-deep-or-are-they/