Relation To Humans
While the bat ray, like other stingrays, has a venomous spine in its tail (near the base), it is not considered dangerous and uses the spine only when attacked or frightened.
Currently, the bat ray is fished commercially in Mexico but not the United States. However, it is sometimes fished for sport for its fighting characteristics. Prehistorically, native tribes on the California coast (probably Ohlone), especially in the San Francisco Bay area, fished bat rays in large numbers, presumably for food.
Commercial growers have long believed bat rays (which inhabit the same estuarine areas favored for the industry) prey on oysters, and trapped them in large numbers. In fact, crabs (which are prey of bat rays) are principally responsible for oyster loss. Bat rays are not considered endangered or threatened.
Bat Rays are popular in marine parks, and visitors are often allowed to touch or stroke the ray, usually on the wing.
Read more about this topic: Bat Ray
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