Southern stingrays have large, flat, diamond-shaped disks without distinct heads. Their dark brown or dark grey upper bodies and cream or whitish underbellies are ideal camouflage for animals that spend their days buried in sand. From above, only their eyes and huge spiracles are visible. Water enters the spiracles and leaves through the gill openings on the underside. Stingrays flap their pectoral fins, which some refer to as ‘wings’ for forward movement. A long, serrated spine is located at the base of their slender tail. The spine is poisonous and used for defense.