Do stingrays attack?, or do they just defend themselves when stepped on or harassed/ threatened?

Answer 1

Their barb is a defence mechanism used in an aggressive manner.
They do not eat humans, they are not protecting their territory, they are only protecting themselves (defence)

Answer 2

Stingrays attack in what they perceive as self-defense. It is very important to understand that from the animals perception it is defending itself even if the person means the animal no harm whatsoever and the person perceives he is not a threat to the animal. For example, a brown bear sow with cubs will maul a person within a hundred yard radius of her cubs. That person may have been making no threatening gestures, but to the animal the persons size and proximity is a threat in and of itself and so they stingray lashes out in an effort to survive by thwarting or discouraging what the animal feels is imminent danger.

Answer 3

Yes,normally I am kind of reserved, keep to myself and all but I do have this super hero in side of me that tends to defend the downtrodden , and it is not only people that I defend I defend the strays that roam the street. So the answer is yes I would get involved. I earned the rank of shodan (first degree black belt) in Shotokan karate so I can take care of myself.

Answer 4

Plain just being too close
or sometimes animals can be having a bad day so to speak
& are plain just extra cranky one day
just like a human so if they have dangerous bites etc its best to stay away
some dogs dont normally bite but can one day bite if its cranky for some reason

Answer 5

They do not attack they have no need to attack . The barbs are purely defensive. If you get too close or step on one expect to be speared.

Answer 6

Sounds like a question for the Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin

Answer 7

They attack when felt threatened. They're puppydogs of the sea and they won't attack unless they feel they have to.