SHARKS, SKATES AND RAYS Sharks, skates, and rays are seasonal visitors to the York River.
What fish are in the York River?
The estuary’s saltmarshes provide excellent spawning habitat, and twenty-eight species of estuarine and freshwater fish have been documented in the York River, including rainbow smelt, alewives, eel, bluefish, winter flounder, striped bass, and Atlantic herring.
Are stingrays common on the Jersey Shore?
Common stingrays off of our coast are roughtail stingrays, bluntnose stingrays, bullnose rays, cownose rays, and spiny butterfly rays. An interesting fact about these fish is that stingrays have live births while skates lay eggs.
Is cownose ray a stingray?
Although cownose rays are sometimes referred to as skates or stingrays, they are technically neither. Cownose rays belong to their own family of rays.
Can you eat a cownose stingray?
But did you know that Cownose rays are edible? The urban legend around here is that some less reputable restaurants served plugs of ray meat as bay scallops. The truth is the “wings” can be skinned, cut from the cartilage, and prepared in a variety of ways.
Can you swim in the York River?
The York River is so wide that it feels like you’re on the shore of a lake. No swimming is allowed in this spot, but you can wade in the water, walk along the shore or even bring a picnic lunch.
Are there jellyfish in the York River?
But in Yorktown, at the white, sandy beach, it’s also jellyfish season. At the beginning of July, York County put out an alert to the public on social media, warning residents and guests of the likelihood of contact with jellyfish — some of which are known as sea nettles — in the York River.
What month are stingrays most active?
May through October is when you’ll see savvy beach goers doing the Stingray Shuffle! Stingrays come into shallow Gulf waters for their mating season and settle in; they get partially covered with sand which makes it difficult to see them.
Is it safe to swim around stingrays?
It is clearly dangerous to swim directly over a stingray (this is how Steve Irwin was fatally injured). In general, if you aren’t on a tour, it is advisable to avoid stingrays, and you should certainly leave them alone while diving or snorkeling.
Do stingrays swim close to shore?
Common throughout the Mid-Atlantic, Southeast U.S., Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico, stingrays often swim within a few yards of shore, where they prey on tiny fish and shellfish. They are known to lie on the bottom and cover themselves with sand, which is how most people get stung.
What is the difference between a ray and a stingray?
Aside from their size, one of the most significant differences separating a manta ray vs stingray is their tails. The tail on a manta ray does not contain a barb, which effectively makes them harmless to humans. Meanwhile, most stingray species possess one to serrated venomous spines at the base of their tail.
What is the difference between an eagle ray and a stingray?
Stingray: A diverse group of rays that range is size. They have a disc shaped body as their pectoral fins are rounded on the edge. Eagle Ray: Usually around one or two meters in wing span with a diamond body shape as their pectoral fins are pointed at the ends.
Are cownose rays aggressive?
The Cownose Ray is a non-aggressive animal, posing little threat to humans. However, when stepped on or caught by an angler it will use its spine in defense so be careful.
What happens if you get stung by a cownose ray?
While cownose rays do secrete a mucous-like venom, it isn’t poisonous. The effects are sometimes likened to a larger version of a bee sting. As a reminder, the beach patrol reminds those who fish and swim at the shore to leave cownose rays alone and handle them with caution if necessary.
Are freshwater stingrays poisonous?
Freshwater stingrays are often kept in aquariums, but require a very large tank and will eat small tank mates. Although generally non-aggressive, their venomous stinger represents a risk and on occasion aquarists have been stung.
What does stingray meat taste like?
The meat of the stingray is firm and white, with a slightly sweet flavor. Some people compare it to the taste of lobster or crab meat. Some people find the meat of a stingray to be slightly chewy, with a little metallic taste.
How deep is the York River?
The York River below West Point has an average width of two miles and average depth of 20 feet. The channel is 80 feet deep beneath the George P. Coleman Bridge, which is 90 feet above the river at its highest point.
Is the York River saltwater?
The York River is known for its rare and delicate environment, where freshwater and saltwater meet to create a habitat rich in marine and plant life.
Why can’t you swim in the Hudson bay?
Hudson bay is not a sea because it is a large bay that extends well inland. Hudson River is not the same as Hudson Bay, which is why you can swim in the river but not in the bay.
Are there sharks in the York River?
Sharks, skates, and rays are seasonal visitors to the York River. These fish generally migrate from offshore waters or from south of Cape Hatteras and inhabit the bay between May and November.
What animals are in the York River?
The York River watershed contains more than 250 species of fish, 190 species of birds, 50 species of mammals, 36 species of reptiles, and 26 species of amphibians. In the warm months, the York River is home to sea turtles and marine mammals, including bottlenose dolphins, which are protected by federal law.