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The stingray shuffle means sliding your feet along the bottom in shallow water, instead of lifting them, so a stingray is warned and will likely swim away.
Stingrays lie on the bottom near shore. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) describes the Atlantic stingray as living in coastal waters, estuaries and lagoons, and even in some freshwater rivers of Florida, with a wingspan of up to 2 feet. The southern stingray is found near shore on grass and sand or mud flats, has a wingspan of 4 to 5 feet, and can weigh up to about 200 pounds.
FWC calls the Atlantic stingray non-aggressive. The danger is a defensive barb with venom near the base of the tail. On both its Atlantic and southern stingray pages, FWC gives the same advice: do the stingray shuffle to reduce the chance of stepping on a ray and being hurt by its spine.
FWC says most stingray injuries need medical attention right away. Poison Control, run by the National Capital Poison Center, says the main risk is the puncture wound, that the venom causes intense pain, and that soaking in hot water is the standard treatment for the pain. It says to get medical care if a piece of the spine stays in the wound, if the puncture is deep, or if it is in the chest, belly or neck. Its number, 1-800-222-1222, reaches your poison center, and its help is free, confidential and available 24 hours a day.
FWC is the state agency for fish and wildlife. Its main office in Tallahassee is at 850-488-4676.
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