Common names

Bluntnose Stingray.

Binomial

Hypanus say.

Synonyms

Dasyatis say, Dasyatis sayi, Raja say.

Identification

A medium-sized stingray with a kite-shaped disc that is slightly wider than long; disc width approximately 1.1 x length. Snout short and bluntly rounded with a protruding tip. Anterior margins of disc straight or weakly concave. Pectoral fin apices broadly rounded. Pelvic fins large with rounded apices.
Eyes medium-sized and protruding. Snout length 1.4-1.9 x combined eye and spiracle length.
Mouth with 5 oral papillae. Shallow labial furrows around mouth. Lower jaw weakly arched. Skirt shaped nasal curtain with a fringed margin. Nostrils oval-shaped, positioned slightly obliquely.
A row of very small thorns extend along midline from nape to caudal tail. Short row of small thorns on each shoulder. Tail tapering to end of ventral fold, then filamentous to tip. Tail length (when intact) approximately 1.3-1.7 x disc width. Ventral finfold short; deeper than tail height beyond caudal sting. Dorsal finfold short but prominent; slightly thinner than tail height beyond sting. 1-2 slender tail stings usually present.

Colour

Dorsum variable; grey, reddish-brown, or olive grey. Young animals generally paler, sometimes with bluish markings. Ventrum white, sometimes with a dark disc margin. Sides of tail white. Caudal finfolds and tail beyond caudal sting often dusky or black.

Size

Maximum disc width at least 78cm. Disc width at birth 15-17cm.