“It was dead,” I said. “How could it still be dangerous?”
“Dead stingrays can still sting,” she explained. “The barb is a keratinous structure—like a fingernail. It doesn’t require the animal to be alive to cause injury. And the venom can remain active for hours after death.”
I looked at Charlie, who was sleeping peacefully on the couch, unaware of the danger he had been in.
I decided to be more careful on future beach walks.
What You Need to Know (If You Find a Strange Sea Creature)
If you ever encounter an unusual marine animal on the beach, follow these safety guidelines.
1. Do not touch it. Even if it looks dead, it may still have venomous spines, barbs, or bacteria that can cause infection.
2. Keep pets away. Dogs are curious and may sniff or bite the creature, risking injury.
3. Take photos from a safe distance. Document the animal for identification, but don’t get close.
