Stingrays
Stingrays are strong — and flat as a pancake! Found in tropical and subtropical seas around the world, as well as the Amazon basin, these bottom-feeding fishes rest undetected on seafloors or riverbeds.
Saving Animals from Extinction (SAFE)
Stingrays are a part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Saving Animals from Extinction (AZA SAFE) program.
Zoos and aquariums across the country are partnering to raise awareness for the conservation of threatened and endangered stingrays and the challenges they face in the wild like climate change.
Ready for touch
Cownose rays are tactile animals—they naturally school together, brushing up against each other while swimming. This social status makes them a perfect fit for hands-on encounters at Stingray Touch.
No need to worry about the "sting" in the species' name. While wild stingrays have extendable spines to protect them from predators, at Shedd these "stingers" are harmlessly clipped, just like fingernails.
Ready to feed
Help feed these supple, strong—and flat as a pancake fishes by adding a Stingray Feeding for $5 ($4 for members). Give these bottom-feeders a fun seafood treat and watch them flap against each other and your fingers!
Available when Stingray Touch is open, with feeding times between 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. See a Shedd Team Member to add this experience when you arrive for $5 ($4 for members). Great for kids and adults 6+
Discover meal prep for cownose rays with aquarist Alice Bereman.
“There are so many animals people can’t get close to. This species is very gentle!”
Senior Aquarist Alice Bereman