pink pink species family wide ill defined distribution tropical southern africa generally inhabits shallow water deep sandy areas associated coral reefs individuals exhibit high degree fidelity particular locations pink diamond shaped pectoral fin disc wider long broad angled snout long whip like tail fin small uniform brownish grayish pink color darker past tail sting large ray reach long nature pink known form large active resting associate large ray species mainly benthic invertebrates bony fishes species viviparous young milk produced mother range substantial numbers pink caught incidentally variety fishing gear marketed meat skin importance attracted visitors bait listed species concern wide distribution includes relatively protected areas northern australia population southeast_asia likely declining heavy fishing pressure assessed vulnerable taxonomy pink described american volume basis specimen collected specific epithet means native languages common species grouped species complex description pectoral fin disc pink diamond shaped thick center measuring times wider long outer corners disc angular snout forms angle tip barely protruding small widely spaced eyes followed larger short broad curtain skin finely fringed posterior margin long thin nostrils mouth fairly small surrounded prominent furrows lower jaw small middle large central tiny lateral floor mouth teeth small arranged pavement like surfaces pairs gill slits located beneath disc pelvic fins small narrow tail extremely long thin measuring twice disc length intact lacks fin usually bears single spine adults small rounded dermal denticles covering central dorsal surface disc beginning eyes extending cover entire tail small sharp base tail juveniles smooth skinned covering flat heart shaped denticles species uniform grayish brownish pink dark gray black tail past sting uniformly light grows long maximum weight record distribution habitat exact range pink unclear confusion believed common tropical waters probably occurring indian_ocean periphery south_africa northern australia year appears red_sea range extends pacific_ocean northward philippines eastward islands including pink recorded deep usually found zone depth dwelling species prefers sandy flats soft habitats near coral reefs tends found closer shore warm season genetic studies islands found individual rays tend remain local area little island movement biology ecology small large gatherings pink observed sandy flats coral reefs great barrier reef resting individuals pile atop mixing species seen riding larger species rays pink feeds primarily crustaceans takes cephalopods fishes far dominant prey type rays sizes french sizable feeding known form night shallow water tends solitary large home range like pink viviparous mother supplying developing embryos nutrient rich milk specialized structures measure nursery area species males reach sexual maturity maturation size females unknown known parasites pink include human interactions highly dangerous humans pink sting makes difficult handle fishing net usually thrown overboard rest catch indonesia malaysia probably range species regular incidental catch coastal fisheries nets nets lesser extent retained meat skin utilized fishing activity southeast_asia intense largely large ray vulnerable smaller relatives slower reproductive rate population thought particularly affected indonesian fishery targeting indonesian increasingly operating illegally australian waters northern australia pink caught incidentally levels likely fallen significantly use compulsory pink valuable sites french attracted visitors large numbers promise food government taken steps preserve ray banning exports ray products brought study found negative effect form bite impact injuries stemming artificially high ray density interactions boat traffic feeding sites assessed pink concern overall citing wide distribution includes refuge regions conservation threats population northern australia listed concern contrast heavily southeast asian population listed vulnerable
Pink whipray