Blue-spotted Stingray

Photo: Elias Levy · CC BY

Blue-spotted stingrays rest partially buried in sandy patches between coral formations at Bharatpur, their vivid electric-blue spots contrasting sharply against the pale sand and making them surprisingly conspicuous despite their camouflage posture. They feed by excavating molluscs, crustaceans, and worms from the sand using their flat disc-shaped body to fan and expose buried prey. Their venomous tail spine is used defensively when stepped on, making the blue spots a genuine aposematic warning rather than camouflage.