Stingrays generally aren't dangerous — in fact, they have a reputation for being gentle. They often burrow beneath the sand in the shallows and swim in the open water. Stingrays will usually only sting when disturbed or stepped on by unaware swimmers. Most of the time, you can avoid being stung by a stingray.

Can a stingray kill a human?

Although the venom embedded in the tail spines of stingrays can kill small creatures and cause acute pain to humans, it is extremely rare for the shy fish to kill humans.

What kind of ray killed Steve?

Irwin died on 4 September 2006, after being pierced in the chest by a stingray barb while filming in the Great Barrier Reef. The stinger penetrated his thoracic wall, causing massive trauma.