White-blotched river stingray
Potamotrygon leopoldi
Where at Shedd?
Amazon Rising
| Diet | Fish, insects, crustaceans, invertebrates and plant material |
|---|---|
| Size | Disc width: Up to 3.75 feet (1.14 m) |
| Type | Sharks & Rays |
| Range | Rio Xingu, Rio Freso Brazil |
| Habitat | Freshwaters of the Xingu River basin in Brazil |
Did you know?
- Male stingrays nibble on a female stingray’s disc during mating.
- Reports show that it prefers rocky river bottoms where freshwater snails and crabs may be found - favorite food items for this stingray.
- Not only do we breed white-blotched river stingrays at Shedd, but we also keep the studbook — a kind of genealogy — for coordinating the breeding of all white-blotched river stingrays.
- This species of ray has strong muscles that allow them to crush the shells of prey.
- This species is part of AZA’s SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction) species project. Together with conservation experts, we are working to identify and prioritize conservation actions to prevent the forever loss of these species.
Association of Zoos & Aquariums Species Survival Plan®
This species is part of a program to support healthy, genetically diverse animal populations.