St. Louis Divers

[undermowater]

We are contemplating starting up a volunteer dive program at the World Aquarium downtown (in the City Museum). This would entail diving in two of our aquaria: the Stingray City or Sharks! tank for cleaning and maintenance. There may be occasionaly feeding involved, although we're not certain we want the sharks becoming acclimated to divers' feeding. If you are interested, reply with your skill level, experience and availability. Beck

[sharky]

hello undermowater, welcome to the forum; I hope you will receive responses from the St. Louis divers

[undermowater]

So far, I'm pretty disappointed. NO replies yet. I expected there to be many of us who would gladly get in the water with sting rays or sharks. This is one way to cure our dismay at being landlocked!

[gidgee_guru]

hello...
i would kill for the opportunity to dive there but sadly i am in the wrong country:P
im interested in rays tho...how really dangerous are they? while diving off a headland recently i encountered two massive rays, as in they were wider then i was tall (over 6ft). they seem extremely placid however i have heard horror stories of getting stabbed by their tales :S it was enough for me to keep my distance until i know with a bit more certainty of their temprament...

[sharky]

Wasn't Steve Irwin killed by a ray? I think I remember something like that.

[sharky]

Beck, I agree. I also would have expected more responses. On the other hand this is an international forum and perhaps you would receive more response if you'd ask around in your region?

[gidgee_guru]

Yes indeed he was - a tragic day for austalia ...i was not sure what species he was hit by though. Another man shortly after steve irwins death was hit in exactly the same manner but survived because he left the stinger in there are went to hospital like that...
But i was wondering if anyone knows if they are territorial or aggressive in certain seasons?

[sharky]

In wikipedia it says that there are more than 500 species in 13 families hmy:

* Family Anacanthobatidae (smooth skates)
* Family Dasyatidae (stingrays). Named for the venomous spines along the tail; these contain a poison that causes pain and may cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, muscle cramps, tremors, paralysis, fainting, seizures, elevated heart rate, and decreased blood pressure (depending on the species). In addition, some species' toxins can be fatal to humans.
* Family Gymnuridae (butterfly rays)
* Family Hexatrygonidae (sixgill stingrays)
* Family Myliobatidae (eagle rays). The largest of rays, including the giant manta rays. Most eagle rays have one poison-carrying spine.
* Family Plesiobatidae (deepwater stingrays)
* Family Potamotrygonidae (river stingrays)
* Family Rajidae (skates)
* Family Rhinobatidae (guitarfishes). They have a body structure similar that of the sawfishes, but are not thought to be closely related.
* Family Urolophidae (round rays)

I think it depend on which specie one encounters :blink: