BajaNomad

Sting Ray Season

Russ - 4-3-2009 at 05:58 PM

Seems a bit early but sting rays are stacked up like cord wood on shore here. Several people and dogs have been hit. Shell Beach has always had a huge population of rays so other beaches may not be effected to this extreme. Be careful and if you happen to be hit, Hot, Very Hot water ASAP and benydril (sp) well help.

[Edited on 4-4-2009 by Russ]

David K - 4-3-2009 at 06:20 PM

For new Nomads, Russ is near Punta Chivato/ Mulege... Not to be confused with the place many south of San Felipe call 'Shell Beach', but I use the unique name 'Shell Island' ...

Be careful Russ... I remember at Camp Gecko (and all sand beaches of south Bahia de los Angeles) loaded with sting rays in APRIL for mating season!

Rattlesnakes are out this month, too!

Russ - 4-3-2009 at 06:57 PM

Sorry for any confusion on Shell Beach but since Punta Chivato is now a fenced in private community Many of us on this Shell Beach feel segregated.
Rattlers.... My friend here sent me a pic one his co-worker sent of a 7' rattler they got last week in Ventura area.

[Edited on 4-4-2009 by Russ]

Rattlesnake copy.jpg - 47kB

woody with a view - 4-3-2009 at 07:26 PM

once you get deeper than your ankles you should NEVER lift your feet off the bottom. drag/shuffle/kick sand and the stingray will be warned of your presence and take off like a rocket when you get about 5 feet away. at worst you'll kick it and get it's lazy butt moving, but unless you step on it the chances of a harpoon being planted in your foot is almost zero.

NEVER LIFT YOUR FEET.....

Mulegena - 4-3-2009 at 08:25 PM

Sting Rays inject a neurotoxin through its tail as a defense mechanism. They do this only when they are harmed which occurs most often when stepped on by bathers, swimmers and divers in the warm waters of the Sea of Cortez.

This beautiful animal will do its best to swim away from anyone, but as they bury themselves under a thin layer of sand we humans often can't detect their presence. When we accidentally molest them they raise their barbed tail and give a solid whack, usually to a swimmer's foot or ankle.

I've never been hit (knock on wood) but I've attended to several people's injuries. It appears to hurt like a Big Dog!! If the injured person could run away from himself he would!!

Treatment: Get your affected limb in HOT WATER as soon as possible, fresh or saltwater doesn't matter, keep it hot as you can stand it, and keep the injured area in it as long as you can-- at least an hour. Let the wound bleed. The hot water neutralizes (cooks) the neurotoxin (protein). Take over the counter pain meds as needed. Examine the wound site for shards of the ray's barbed tail. Clean and dress the wound appropriately. Seek medical help if needed.

Russ - 4-3-2009 at 08:33 PM

Woody, I'll agree with the sting ray shuffle being smart. But as far as them moving or not getting hit if you shuffle sorry it doesn't hold true here. Lots of ankle hits by rays with no intention of doing anything other than their mating thing. Later on I'd generalize that the larger ones will mostly move away but the small ones are more of a problem. Also just the amazing numbers of dinner plate size rays onshore now increases you risks. I wasn't kidding about cord wood they can be/are literally stacked on top of each other. My friend that was nailed yesterday had his fins on so he was flat footed and should have spooked any rays but he got hit in the ankle.
Edit: here is a pretty informitive article, http://www.wikihow.com/Treat-a-Stingray-Sting

[Edited on 4-4-2009 by Russ]

Bajagypsy - 4-4-2009 at 07:45 AM

being stung buy one, I suggest going to the doctor for antibiotics (sp?) I got a secondary infection when we got back to Canada, and the doctors here in Saskatchewan, didn't have a clue what to do. Could have lost my foot. Hot water, is the key, takes the pain away, keep it very clean, and don't be alarmed if a couple days/month later the wound opens up and drains on you.

k-rico - 4-4-2009 at 08:31 AM

The last time I got stung I immediately took 800 mg of ibuprophen, disinfected and bandaged the wound, and then endured about an hour's worth of exquisite, pure pain. But I was soon dancing the jig. It was a glancing wound, not a stab.

One poster mentioned taking pain meds, and only one. But it is the thing to do in addition to the things mentioned above.

Screaming and howling while you're telling others you're OK also seems to help, really.


[Edited on 4-4-2009 by k-rico]

stingray.jpg - 38kB

DianaT - 4-4-2009 at 08:58 AM

There was a thread quite a while back---I can't find it, where some shared in vivid detail the pain they experienced----

I remember one who was hit twice in the same leg----I think he said that the pain made the idea of removing the leg a real thought.

Also, I remember Skipjack said that when he got to a local clinic, they gave him two shots---one right in the wound--and that did the trick.

People also discussed urine therapy, but can't remember if anyone tried it or not.

This is one Baja experience I really hope to NEVER share.

Diane

Bajagypsy - 4-4-2009 at 09:10 AM

HOnest to god the pain was 100000x worse than giving birth, or having a spinal tap. I was hoping Mr. Gypsy would just kill me to get it over with. Pain meds help tons, and when I went to the clinic, the irrigated (sp?) the wound to get all the stuff out, and gave me medication. I hope never to go through that ever again!

Russ, we have lots over here too.

Pompano - 4-4-2009 at 11:48 AM

BE CAREFUL WADING!

Every year we get lots of waders getting punctured by the small skates found along the shores of Conception Bay.

Eastertime is particulary BAD. Miracle that I have never been hit in all these years, but I have had people wading next to me who did ....and have endured that extreme pain.

Follow the good advice given already..it works, believe me. Most important..get to a doctor immediately. (If near Mulege see Dr. Daniel Silva, north side of town on highway.)

This is the time for rays. April-May is the mating season. Same thing happening all over Mexico's beaches. Take a look at these cowhead rays over by the Yucatan and Belize. The densely packed herds are moving towards the beaches, same as here. So Watch Out.
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Conception Bay once was home to thousands upon thousands of larger whiptail rays...but, thanks to these guys, that day is long gone. I took this photo in 1989 on the east shore of Coyote Bay. Those rays were cookie-cuttered into fake scallops. Grrrrrr...what a waste. We used to snorkel amongst them and then dive underneath the gentle waterflyers...what a sight that WAS. Have not seen these bunches for many, many years now.
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Cypress - 4-4-2009 at 01:12 PM

Sting Rays? Fun to catch when they grow up to the size of car hoods. And good to eat if you know how to fix 'em.:spingrin:

24baja - 4-4-2009 at 01:16 PM

They stingrays were in the north bay at Bahia de Los Angeles last week saw quite a few babies in the low tide pools. Shuffle those feet, people!

lowly mud marlin

baitcast - 4-5-2009 at 09:40 AM

Don,t step on this guy! a saddle is more fun:lol: that hunk on the left is Baitcast when he was still a hunk.
Rob


[Edited on 4-5-2009 by baitcast]

805gregg - 4-5-2009 at 06:12 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Russ
Woody, I'll agree with the sting ray shuffle being smart. But as far as them moving or not getting hit if you shuffle sorry it doesn't hold true here. Lots of ankle hits by rays with no intention of doing anything other than their mating thing. Later on I'd generalize that the larger ones will mostly move away but the small ones are more of a problem. Also just the amazing numbers of dinner plate size rays onshore now increases you risks. I wasn't kidding about cord wood they can be/are literally stacked on top of each other. My friend that was nailed yesterday had his fins on so he was flat footed and should have spooked any rays but he got hit in the ankle.
Edit: here is a pretty informitive article, http://www.wikihow.com/Treat-a-Stingray-Sting

[Edited on 4-4-2009 by Russ] [/quote

I agree Russ, When I was at PC in Aug there were tons of them, I usually pick up rocks and throw them to see how many rays. I decided to get a long stick and clear the area in front, with my wife walking behind. That worked and then when we could swim, I stuck the stick in the sand and had a place to come back to, and the stick to clear the way again. I don't like sting rays.

[Edited on 4-6-2009 by 805gregg]

Ken Bondy - 4-5-2009 at 06:58 PM

Nice photos as usual Roger. I've seen huge schools of mobulas several times at Punta San Francisquito, both topside and underwater. They are stunningly beautiful and graceful in these huge migrations. What a shame that so many of them are turned into fake scallops. Almost all of the CA angel sharks are gone now because of that.

Ken Bondy - 4-5-2009 at 07:03 PM

I took this in the Galapagos. Only seven of them, but still a nice sight:

Ken Bondy - 4-5-2009 at 07:22 PM

I get on these rolls..... My daughter Coleen with a Southern Sting Ray:

Pompano - 4-5-2009 at 07:26 PM

Ken...

WOW!

edited....I would have added that your photos are TERRIFIC. and I want to go there, too..but was trying to make a satellite phone call while reading and typing this. No bueno...I am not that good at typing.

[Edited on 4-6-2009 by Pompano]

Wow!

Mulegena - 4-7-2009 at 02:18 AM

Pompy & Ken, those are some fabulous photographs.

Skipjack Joe - 4-7-2009 at 09:45 AM

Yeah, stepping on a stingray is not soon forgotten. Here's my writeup on how it felt.


http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=27925#pid273569

ILikeMex - 4-7-2009 at 12:59 PM

Don't urinate on sting ray wound - that is for sea urchins and jelly fish (or ammonia to neutralize the venoms)

On the pacific side, you also have to be careful about getting hit by them while they are swimming in the surf zone. As mentioned, usually people get hit on teh ankle, they are not stepping directly on the barb, but when you step on the fish, it snaps its tail up and implants the barb into the side of your ankle.

Sometime, if particularly nasty, it will embed the barbs sheath into your skin. (ie) You get striked by the barb and as the tail snaps back down and pulls the barb out the sheath remains embedded in your skin.
These ones you will need more than just hot water and pain med - you have to get that sheath out.

Woooosh - 4-7-2009 at 04:44 PM

Stepped on one a kid and will never forget it. I now do the stingy-ray shuffle too. If stung- apply heat not ice- the pain is caused by a venom that is heat sensitive. you need to get some shots if you haven't had a booster recenlty too.

BTW- It's also time for the Grunion Run. No wonder the dolphins and pelicans are happy. Does anyone fry and eat these like smelt?

Pompano - 4-8-2009 at 06:11 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Russ
Sorry for any confusion on Shell Beach but since Punta Chivato is now a fenced in private community Many of us on this Shell Beach feel segregated.
Rattlers.... My friend here sent me a pic one his co-worker sent of a 7' rattler they got last week in Ventura area.

[Edited on 4-4-2009 by Russ]


Rattlers. Thank God I have only had to kill 2 of these snakes in all the years spent here in Baja. One crawled in the house through an open patio slider and the twin Siamese cats cornered it in the pantry. Killed that one with a mop handle. The next one was an accident. Unfortunately I ran over it with my Jeep one day out in the desert. Left front tire. The snake bit at the tire as I rolled over it and sunk it's fangs into the sidewall. I had visions that it would be just like one of those plastic tabs we used as kids on our bike wheel spokes to make the clicking noise...the snake going round and round, whacking against the fender. Well...you had to be there. :wow::yes:

Another time we ate one that kept coming back into our fishing camp on Lake Sakakawea in the Badlands of ND. It wanted to come for dinner I guess, so we accommodated.
.



Egad, Russ...that's a big rattler. With a good food supply, they get HUGE for sure. Here's another big boy captured recently on the King Ranch.
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ELINVESTIG8R - 4-8-2009 at 06:25 AM

There is one the size of that monster there at the entrance gate to El Metate. I at first thought it was a motorcycle tire it was so big. I did not get a photo of it as I think it hypnotized me. When I regained my senses and thought about taking a picture it was gone. So be careful when opening the gate at El Metate if you should find it closed.

Pacifico - 4-8-2009 at 08:13 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Bondy
I get on these rolls..... My daughter Coleen with a Southern Sting Ray:



Is that at Grand Cayman?