The Differences in Sharks & Stingrays

The depths of the ocean house many different types of underwater creatures. Two of the most prominent types of underwater dwellers and sharks and rays. Both are easily recognizable marine animals that gracefully glide through the water. They are both members of the Chondrichthyes taxonomical class, due to their entirely cartilaginous skeletons. Although these two creatures have similar characteristics and features, there are actually numerous differences that separate the two types of animals.

  1. Shape

    • The most notable difference between the shark and the stingray is body shapes. Sharks typically have a body type known as fusiform, a body that is rounded and tapered at both ends. Sharks have this body type because it reduces drag in the water and requires a small amount of energy and movement to swim, making sharks stealthy and fast swimmers. Rays, on the other hand, have a flattened body shape, which also allows for quick fluid movement. A ray's shape also makes swimming and hiding along the ocean floor easier. Their mouths are located on the abdominal portion of their bodies due to their shape, making it easier for rays to suck up food off the ocean floor, while sharks' mouths are located in the front of the body, making it easier for them to immediately catch nearby fish and other prey. A ray's eyes sits on top of its head, making it easy for them to see potential attackers from above, while a shark's eyes are situated on either side of the head, giving it a panoramic view of the areas in front of it and making hunting easier.

    Fins

    • Both sharks and rays have large pectoral fins. However, each of these fins is shaped differently, and used for different functions while swimming. A sharks pectoral fins are often small in proportion to the rest of the body, and come to a narrow point. A ray's pectoral fins look similar to large wings on the side of the body. A shark's pectoral fins are used primarily for steering and to lift the body. Rays, on the other hand, use their large pectoral fins to swim, flapping and fluttering them in a wave-like motion to move around the water.

    Reproductive Differences

    • There are major reproductive differences in sharks and rays. Although the two animals are considered cousins in the animal kingdom, their birthing methods differ quite greatly. Rays give birth to live young while nestled away in a covering on the ocean floor. The new rays will then immediately join their mother in a hunt for food. Sharks lay eggs; the mother shark protects her nest until the eggs hatch and the little sharks emerge.

    Gills

    • The gills that sharks and rays use to breath underwater have some differences. On a shark, the gill openings appear on the side of the body in front of the pectoral fins. This makes breathing easier, as the sharks fluidly glide through the ocean. However, rays have openings on the underside of their head. Due to the ray's body shape and that the pectoral fins are attached directly to the head in front of the gill openings, there are very few places for a ray's gill openings to be. Due to their slower moving and bottom dwelling habits, this position of the gills on rays helps them breathe effectively.

    Hunting Methods

    • Rays are famous for the barbed and venomous spine that they use for hunting in the wild. Rays also have whip-like tails that can sting and puncture predators or potential prey. Sharks have no spine at all. Sharks use their rows of severely sharp teeth to defend themselves from predators. Sharks most commonly have several rows of razor-sharp teeth designed specifically for ripping apart other animals.