Yellow-spotted Stingray (Urobatis jamaicensis)
Quiet and steady, the yellow-spotted stingray glides through the shallows where sunlight bends over sand and seagrass. It lingers close to the bottom, often seen only when it chooses to move — a soft pulse of color in the calm Caribbean light.
Scientific Snapshot
Scientific Name: Urobatis jamaicensis
Common Names: Yellow-spotted stingray, yellow stingray
Average Size: Up to 35 cm (14 inches) across; compact and circular body
Habitat: Seagrass beds, sandy lagoons, and shallow reefs
Diet: Small crustaceans, worms, and mollusks
Conservation Status: Least Concern (IUCN Red List)
Range: Western Atlantic and Caribbean Sea — from Florida to northern South America
From the Field
The story…