This predominately marine species occasionally enters the lower reaches of freshwater systems on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts from the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland to Yucatan, Mexico. As with other stingrays, Atlantic Stingrays have a disc-shaped body with their eyes and spiracles (the opening to gills) on top of the body. The mouth and gill slits are concealed under the body. They have a barb on their whip-like tail as protection from predators.