2006-09-03 19:18:33 · 20 answers · asked by Amy >'.'< 5 in News & Events ➔ Current Events
duh, i know all this already but aren't they known to be docile? Why would one sting?
2006-09-03 19:22:23 · update #1
You know what's really crazy is that they must have his death on video... That is so horrible.
2006-09-03 19:33:10 · update #2
They are non-aggressive, but they will defend themselves if threatened. The most common cause of injuries is if someone steps on one. The pressure on their back causes their tail to whip up and strike - it's a reflex action. The tail is like a sword, and it's venomous.
It's rare for stingrays to kill people, even though they are venomous. However there have been a few rare cases of people being killed, if they get stabbed in, or very close to, the heart. Steve Irwin was stabbed in the left side of the chest so that sounds like what happened.
2006-09-03 19:24:29 · answer #1 · answered by Kylie 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Stingrays are NOT harmless and friendly. I live in FL on the Gulf of Mexico amd people get stung all the time. Especially on the feet. They sting for protection, like a bee. I've never heard of anyone dying from it before. The sting is very painful and most people have to go to the ER.
2006-09-04 02:27:42 · answer #2 · answered by FL Girl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It seems that normally they are.
"Dasyatids do not attack aggressively, or even actively defend themselves. When threatened their primary reaction is to swim away. However, when they are attacked by predators or stepped on, the barbed stinger in their tail is mechanically whipped up, usually into the offending foot; it is also possible, although less likely, to be stung "accidentally" by brushing against the stinger. Contact with the stinger causes local trauma (from the cut itself), pain and swelling from the venom, and possible infection from parts of the stinger left in the wound, as well as from seawater entering the wound. It is possible for ray stings to be fatal if they sever major arteries, are in the chest or pelvic region, or are improperly treated. "
Keep in mind that not all the details are out yet.
2006-09-04 02:26:56 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are partly right. They aren't deliberately aggressive. They don't attack. They shoot stingers as a reaction if they are stepped on or brushed up against. Their eyes are on the other side of their body. They can't even see who or what they shot stingers at. Irwin was filming a documentary, the story said, so he may have been trying to interact with the stingray in a way that it instinctively chose not to be interacted with.
2006-09-04 02:22:32 · answer #4 · answered by Rvn 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They are not aggressive, so an injury from a stingray usually occurs when a swimmer or diver accidentally steps on one. Stingray stings are one of the most common dive- and beach-related injuries.
2006-09-04 02:25:31 · answer #5 · answered by 1 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
LoL Australian Stingray's have barbs on their bodies. They hook/latch onto things (they use them for self defense) and it can cause alot of damage. In Steve's case one of these barbs pierced his chest and his lung causing him to have seizures before he died of heart failure. The Zoo in Port Douglas where Steve was filming are releasing a statement today.
His wife doesnt know about his death as yet seeing she is in Tasmania.
2006-09-04 02:23:08 · answer #6 · answered by gr33n_3y3d_grrl 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Thet're stingers ae poisonous.
Think about it,a poisonous stingray barb in your chest.Poor Steve...left behind wife and children.
2006-09-04 02:21:14 · answer #7 · answered by Destiny 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
they aren't called "sting" rays for no reason.... they can cause death if you are stung in a certain spot..... like steve irwin who just died from a sting to the chest
2006-09-04 02:21:37 · answer #8 · answered by JRsOPINION 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
stingrays have a very sharp point and can have posion in them as well he was hit near the heart this was what killed him the point hit the artie near his heart that killed him ? sad?
2006-09-04 02:26:12 · answer #9 · answered by the_silverfoxx 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
steve irwin( the crocidile hunter) just got killed by one by being stung int he chest =( im actually crying. i loved that guy =(
they are very poisionous and painful they have needles on the base of their tails that are barbed and extremely sharp if you agitate them they can swing their tail around and get you =(
=(
2006-09-04 02:22:19 · answer #10 · answered by laa dee da 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋