Stingrays bury themselves in sand on the seabed, leaving only eyes and tail exposed.

The longer version

Flat bodies disappear under the seabed after a few rapid flicks throw sand up over the back. Eyes sit on top so a buried animal still watches for prey, while openings behind them draw clean water in for breathing, since the mouth underneath would otherwise suck in grit.

Electroreceptors spread across the snout pick up faint muscle signals from buried clams and worms, directing excavation exactly where food lies. A defensive spine near the tail base answers threat. Such concealment suits ambush better than pursuit, which is why open-water relatives of these fish swim instead of hiding.

Where this entry sits

Oceans and Sea Life looks at the salt water that covers most of the planet, from crashing waves and tides to the darkest deep-sea trenches. Expect notes on coral, fish, whales, sharks, jellyfish, shells, and the strange creatures that live far below the surface. The full list sits on the Oceans and Sea Life page, where every entry is listed in order.