The Harvey Cedars Beach Patrol reported on Sunday, August 26, 2018 "at approximately 3:30pm, the Harvey Cedars Beach Patrol and Barnegat Light First Aid Squad responded to 73rd Street beach for a fisherman stung in the arm by a Cownose Ray."
The cownose ray feeds upon clams, oysters, hard clams and other invertebrates. It uses two modified fins on its front side to produce suction, which allows it to draw food into its mouth, where it crushes its food with its dental plates. Cownose rays typically swim in groups, which allows them to use their synchronized wing flaps to stir up sediment and expose buried clams and oysters.
According the Harvey Cedars Beach Patrol, "the patient was transported to the hospital. Cownose Rays are one of the most docile species of ray and stings are rare but painful. The barb with venom is close to the body & located near the base of the dorsal fin - this makes the barb not easy to get to. Always use caution when handling wild animals."
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