Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Chondrichthyes
- Order
- Lamniformes
- Family
- Dasyatidae
- Genus
- Dasyatis
- Species
- izuensis
Habitat
The Izu stingray inhabits shallow coastal waters and estuaries in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, particularly around Japan, including the Izu Peninsula and nearby islands. It prefers sandy or muddy substrates in depths up to 50 meters, often near rocky areas or coral reefs.
Diet
This stingray primarily feeds on bottom-dwelling invertebrates such as crabs, shrimp, and mollusks, which it detects using electroreceptors. It hunts by pinning prey with its disc and crushing shells with its plate-like teeth, typically foraging at night on the seafloor.
Behavior
Izu stingrays are solitary and benthic, spending much of their time buried in sand to ambush prey or avoid predators. They are primarily nocturnal, emerging at night to feed, and exhibit territorial behavior around feeding grounds. When threatened, they may swim away or use their venomous spine for defense.
Conservation Status
Listed as Near Threatened by IUCN.