Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Chondrichthyes
- Order
- Myliobatiformes
- Family
- Dasyatidae
- Genus
- Potamotrygon
- Species
- motoro
Habitat
This species inhabits freshwater rivers, lakes, and floodplains in South America, preferring slow-moving waters with sandy or muddy substrates. They are commonly found in the Amazon and Orinoco basins, as well as in larger tributaries like the Paraná-Paraguay system, where they thrive in warm, tropical environments.
Diet
Potamotrygon motoro primarily feeds on benthic invertebrates such as worms, crustaceans, and insects, as well as small fish and mollusks. They are nocturnal bottom feeders, using their wide mouths to suck up prey from the substrate, and often hunt in shallow waters during the evening and night.
Behavior
These stingrays are mostly solitary and nocturnal, spending the day buried in sand or mud to avoid predators and emerging at night to forage. They exhibit territorial behavior, especially during mating seasons, and can deliver a painful sting if threatened. In aquariums, they show curiosity towards movement but are generally inactive during the day.
Conservation Status
Listed as Data Deficient by IUCN.