Marbled Stingray

Dasyatis marmorata

The marbled stingray (Dasyatis marmorata) is a medium-sized stingray found in the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea. Adults reach a disc width of 50-60 cm and display a distinctive marbled pattern of dark brown blotches and spots on a lighter brown background on the dorsal surface, making them one of the most attractively patterned stingrays in their range. The underside is white. They possess a long, whip-like tail with a venomous spine. They inhabit sandy and muddy bottoms on the continental shelf at depths of 12-100 meters, often partially buried in sediment during the day. They feed on benthic invertebrates including worms, crustaceans, and mollusks excavated from the substrate. Their beautiful marbled pattern distinguishes them from the more uniformly colored common stingray. Divers encounter them on sandy areas adjacent to rocky reefs in the Mediterranean and along the West African coast, where their camouflage makes them a satisfying find for observant divers.