October is one of those under appreciated months on the beaches. Tourists have flocked back to their homes for cooler weather, school, and their jobs. For a brief month and a half locals get an almost exclusive right to enjoy the beaches they call home. On top of ample space to post an umbrella and chairs, this year’s October on the beaches is especially gorgeous. Temperatures are still warm in the high 80s, but a gentle fall breeze is kicking up in the afternoons to really cool down the air. The water is beautiful this October as well. With almost no tropical occurrences to speak of so far in 2013, there has yet to be anything to really turn up the sand. The water is crystal clear so that even with a rough chop you can still see loads of sea life dance across the water should you choose to look.
If you pay close enough attention you may even get a glimpse of our local rays. Should you head to the beach it is important you take precautions to safeguard this native species as well as your ankles. Here is a brief list of information to know before you head to the beach this October or anytime:
- We have THREE prominent species of rays in our waters.The cow-nose rays and spotted eagle rays ARE NOT likely to be the ones who will sting you.
Cow-nose rays (picture on right) are swimming rays with their barb or ‘stinger’ on their
‘butt’ not on the tip of their tail. Cow-nose rays have a dark brown coloration and are often seen along our beaches swimming in groups. They are NOT the rays you will see buried in the sand. Best way to avoid getting stung by a cow-nose ray is to NOT handle them. If you see them swimming, just let them swim right on by and you should both be fine.
Spotted eagle rays (picture on right) are the ‘pretty’ spotted rays you will see flying through our waters. They ‘fly’ out of the water to avoid predators or to rid themselves of parasites that attach
to their ‘skin.’ Spotted eagle rays are considered a near Threatened species with a declining population. It is illegal to fish or kill spotted eagle rays in Florida. Spotted eagle rays typically shy away from humans, but if threatened their tail has up to 7 venomous barbs that it can use to defend itself with. In general, spotted eagle rays will swim away from you before you even spot them.
Atlantic Stingrays (picture on right) DO NOT want to sting you. Their barb is their second and last line of defense. Their first line of defense is camouflage or burying themselves in the sand
where their coloration blends in so you and other predators can’t see them. IF they do sting you, they risk losing that last line of defense because their serrated barb can ‘drop’ or stay in what they sting. It will then take well over a month for the stingray to re-grow their barb.- RAYS DO NOT LIKE FLYING out of the water, if you see a ray breach the surface one or multiple times it is likely a sign of a larger predator chasing them. Take caution if you see a ‘ray’ flying. You may not like what is chasing it.
ATLANTIC STINGRAY SAFETY TIPS
- ALWAYS shuffle your feet when you are not swimming in the water. The shuffling
disturbs the sand and lets the stingray know something bigger is coming. The stingray will take the hint and swim away to get out of your path. - Signs along the beaches include months when you are most likely to step on a ray, but NOT when rays are exclusively in our waters. You can find rays at any point throughout the year and should ALWAYS take the precaution of shuffling your feet.
If you are stung, get home or to your hotel as soon as possible. The stingrays barb is coated in a neurotoxin that is not lethal, but is VERY painful. The sting will make a bee sting seem like a walk in the park. Once home (or at your hotel), put your foot in a bucket of the hottest soapy water you can safely handle. The heat will help to reduce the pain. After you have soaked your foot in HOT water for at least 2 hours or once the wound stops oozing, wrap the stung area in a clean bandage. Use a topical antibiotic to reduce the chance of infection and relieve pain.- SEEK MEDICAL ATTENITION IF, you believe the ray ‘left’ part of its barb in your wound OR you feel nauseous, muscle cramping, chills or vomiting.
- The barb is serrated and can get stuck under your skin. If you see part of the barb in your wound or believe it has gotten stuck under the surface, seek medical attention to remove the barb. Due to the barb’s ‘serration’ it will be extremely painful
and messy to remove if you do not know what you are doing. - Stingray barbs are coated in a neurotoxin, NOT A VENOM. The wound should be very painful, but SHOULD NOT make you ill. If you feel any non-pain associated symptoms, SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION as these may be signs of allergic reaction or that you were stung by something else than a stingray.
- The barb is serrated and can get stuck under your skin. If you see part of the barb in your wound or believe it has gotten stuck under the surface, seek medical attention to remove the barb. Due to the barb’s ‘serration’ it will be extremely painful
Story by Kaeley Dawson
Date: October 2013