The Difference Between Manta Rays and Stingrays

Big wings, big tails, but very different vibes.

When people hear “ray,” they often picture a flat, gliding sea creature with wings that seem to fly underwater. But not all rays are the same — and knowing the difference could save you from a nasty surprise in the shallows.

Let’s break down two commonly confused categories of rays: manta rays and stingrays.

Stingrays: A Surprisingly Large Group

Let’s get technical. Scientifically, stingrays are a really large group! When scientists classify an organism, they have to decide which groups the organism belongs to, with about 8 different levels of specificity. Each species belongs to a Genus, each Genus belongs to a Family, each Family to an Order, each Order to a Class, and so on. Stingrays are a group of fish bigger than a Family, but smaller than an Order, containing 200+ individual species! There is a lot of variety in this group. Some are small, some are large, some live in fresh water, and some live deep in the ocean.

Manta Rays are a part of the Genus Mobula, and scientists are still trying to figure out whether this Genus belongs inside the group we call “Stingrays”, or should be independent from the Stingrays. It’s no wonder that we confuse these groups so easily – scientists are still debating it too!

But that’s enough with being technically correct. When somebody

casually talks about stingrays, they’re probably referring to one of the species of ray that live near beaches, eating small animals on the sandy bottom, and sometimes delivering painful stingray stings to unsuspecting beachgoers. How are those kinds of stingrays different from Manta Rays?

Stealthy Stingers

The stingrays that we usually talk about are fish that like sandy seabeds and warm water. They are bottom feeders, eating small animals that hang out on or in the sand. They aren’t trying to sting humans, but they do have a sharp, serrated barb on their tail, which they use purely in self-defense. The barb of a stingray has a serrated edge, and is encased by a skin pouch which holds venom. The venom from the stingray sting causes intense burning, swelling, and in some cases, more serious tissue damage. If you want to learn more, we’ve written about how stingray barbs work here.

Stingray Injury Treated with Foot in a Bucket of Hot Water – Photo Credit Brian Chernicky, How to Treat a Stingray Injury Reduce the Pain

Some species will bury themselves under the sand when they feel threatened, but this unfortunately can make it even easier for people to step on them and get stung. Other species run away when threatened, and tend to sting humans less because of this. To avoid a stingray sting, you can do the ‘stingray shuffle’, moving your feet over the sand so the rays can detect you before you reach them. You can also get a pair of Dragon Skin® Stingray-Resistant Booties on our site.

Manta Rays

Manta rays are the aerial acrobats of the ocean, known for their massive wingspans and peaceful nature. Even though they look dramatic, they’re 100% sting-free.

They are so big that only a few aquariums have them – they can grow up to 20 feet wide (Yes, really!) You won’t find them near the shoreline, because they prefer open water and tropical reefs where they scoop plankton into their massive mouths. Scientists believe they can live up to 50 years in the wild.

Manta Rays have no venom and no stinger. Historically, humans both worshipped and feared them because they thought the massive fish looked powerful and threatening. They sometimes approach humans, but not to attack or hurt us. Scientists think they are just curious and playful.

Manta Rays seem to be self-aware, and recognize themselves in a mirror. Occasionally they jump out of the water and dive back in, even making somersaults – scientists don’t know why!

Unfortunately these beautiful creatures are facing increasing threats as humans expand into their environment. Especially closer to the shore, pollution, fishing nets, and targeted fishing all reduce the population, leading to their status as vulnerable. When we can, we should all help make choices that keep these creatures safe.

Key Differences at a Glance

Trait	Stingray	Manta Ray
Tail Weapon	Yes – venomous barb	No – no stinger
Size	Usually under 5 feet wide	Up to 20+ feet wide
Behavior	Evasive, some hide in sand	Curious, swims in open water
Danger to Humans	Yes – can cause painful injuries	None – completely harmless
Common Locations	Shallow, sandy beaches	Deep reefs and open ocean
What should you do?	Do the stingray shuffle and wear stingray resistant booties	Admire and protect them