How does the "stingray shuffle" alert a resting stingray?
Answer
By causing vibrations along the bottom
The effectiveness of the stingray shuffle lies in its application of tactile sensation rather than visual or auditory cues. When a person shuffles their feet along the sandy or muddy bottom rather than lifting and dropping their foot, the friction and movement transmit vibrations directly through the substrate. Stingrays resting on the seabed detect these vibrations, which signals the presence of a potential threat or disturbance. This detection mechanism allows the ray sufficient time to relocate itself by swimming away from the disturbance before the wader inadvertently steps directly onto its body or tail, thus avoiding confrontation.

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