Welcome to the Marine Mili series, a regular column about all things marine!  During this series I aim to inspire people to want to protect our oceans and all the marine life that call our oceans home. Hopefully after reading each column, you would have learnt something new, including what we can do to help protect and preserve our oceans. You can follow me and my journey on my Instagram page: _marine_mili.

Would you believe me if I told you that the smooth stingray is the largest species of stingray in the world? Smooth stingrays can weigh up to 350kgs which is as heavy as a male crocodile. This species of ray can even grow to over four metres in length.

Smooth stingrays are a species of bottom dwelling ray which allows them to easily access food on the seafloor that they can crush and eat with their grinding teeth. This species feeds on crabs, molluscs, fish and squid that they can trap under their large wings. 

Smooth stingrays don’t have very good eyesight and as their eyes are positioned at the top of their heads, they cannot see their prey. Instead, they rely on their sixth sense - jelly filled pores along their face that are called Ampullae of Lorenzini. These specialised sensors detect weak electric fields from other creatures, helping them to locate prey and navigate potential threats. 

Smooth stingrays are very closely related to sharks and as you may know sharks don’t have any bones at all, they only have cartilage. Well, this is the same with rays. This gives rays their flexible and bendy appearance. 

Smooth stingrays are common in Port Phillip Bay and Western Port Bay. These giants usually hang out under piers, sandy bottoms, rocky reefs, shallow bays and estuaries. These guys can be found anywhere from 0-150 metres in depth.

If you head to San Remo during the pelican feeding at 12pm there is a good chance one of the local smooth stingrays will be hanging around waiting for any scraps to land in the water that the pelicans missed. There are also a few local smooth stingrays under Flinders pier and Rye pier, but it is common to see them all around Western Port and Port Phillip Bay. 

Stingrays are truly the sweetest creatures and are so misunderstood.

The first time I had one come right up to me while diving I realised they are so playful and intelligent. Next time you are out enjoying Victoria's spectacular coastlines, make sure to keep an eye out for these gentle giants and if you spot any make sure you enjoy their grace and beauty as they glide through the water.