Julian2 Posted September 5, 2006 Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 A bit of info on the stingray and it's poisonous barb. ------------------- Never underestimate the penetrating ability of a stingrayâ??s barb, even on the smallest of stingrays. The stingrayâ??s barb is designed to penetrate virtually all sorts of dense materials, including wood and leather. And as unbelievable as it may seem, itâ??s been documented that large stingrays are able to drive a barb through a boatâ??s wooden planks or completely through a persons arm or leg. According to Dr. Shipp, when a stingray strikes, it either removes its barb entirely, or breaks it off inside of the victim. When this occurs, doctors must probe the wound to make sure all particles have been removed, so the injury will not result in gangrene. In cases where the barb deeply penetrated, the wound must be enlarged to make sure it is properly cleaned. Aside from the pain and serious laceration caused by the razor-sharp barb, which can sever arteries and possibly an Achilles tendon, a poison is released that can produce a drastic decrease in blood pressure, increased pulse, dizziness and possible shock. 5,000 stingray attacks are reported in the United States alone each year ------------------------ taken from www.jerrylabella.com/stingray.html They can inflict quite a nasty injury, I've lived around the sea most of my life and met a few people who have been attacked. The sting is rarely fatal but painful and the chance of infection very high. I met a guy in the Torres Straits once who had a barb go right through his foot breaking several bones leaving him with a bad limp and a disfigured foot. I've caught them up to a metre across, usually releasing them, as the sensible option to bringing them in the boat, but disected a couple of small ones to find the barb was still about seven cms long. Not bad eating actually, no bones only a mesh like cartilage. Good sport when hooked too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted September 5, 2006 Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 I snorkeled around stingrays in the Carribean and never thought much about it. Seems the Oz version is a bit nastier. http://tinyurl.com/kamep Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bust Posted September 5, 2006 Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 Just listened to press confrence about Steve Irwin's death. Apparently it was all caught on film. Was swimming about a metre above the ray and it just attacked without provocation. He pulled the barb out and was probably dead within seconds. But how's this for stupidity. Some imbocile journo asked the question"did he say anything before he died" to which the cameraman replied "we were underwater" What a fucking idiot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elef Posted September 5, 2006 Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 Of course it was caught on film as they filmed a documentary! Maybe the presence of a film team can explain the attack - a stress reaction? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavanami Posted September 5, 2006 Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 Ohhh, I swam with the rays in Tahiti...maybe will have to rethink that a bit! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bust Posted September 5, 2006 Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 Elef never assume anything. Only one cameraman and they don't film everything. Attack was not provoked according to those who have seen the footage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted September 5, 2006 Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 If you look at the link I posted, it says the cameraman was in front of the ray and Steve behind it. The ray may have felt intself threatened and thus reacted as it did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted September 5, 2006 Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 << Mr Cropp said the stingray was spooked and went into defensive mood. "It probably felt threatened because Steve was alongside and there was the cameraman ahead, and it felt there was danger and it baulked. "It stopped and went into a defensive mode and swung its tail with the spike. "Steve unfortunately was in a bad position and copped it. >> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torneyboy Posted September 5, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 This was one of the big ones ...Bull ray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Central Scrutinizer Posted September 5, 2006 Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 Here's a link to a Bull Ray: http://www.planula.com.au/dive/uwphoto2001/large/bullray.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.