Not just a huge collection of Shark Pictures: Elasmodiver.com contains images of sharks, skates, rays, and a few chimaera's from around the world. Elasmodiver began as a simple web based shark field guide to help divers find the best places to encounter the different species of sharks and rays that live in shallow water but it has slowly evolved into a much larger project containing information on all aspects of shark diving and shark photography.

There are now more than 10,000 shark pictures and sections on shark evolution, biology, and conservation. There is a large library of reviewed shark books, a constantly updated shark taxonomy page, a monster list of shark links, and deeper in the site there are numerous articles and stories about shark encounters. Elasmodiver is now so difficult to check for updates, that new information and pictures are listed on an Elasmodiver Updates Page that can be accessed here:

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Shark picture - green sawfish

MASKED STINGAREE

Photographs copyright Andy Murch

View more Masked Stingaree Pictures in the Shark Pictures Database

Common Names: Masked stingaree.

Latin Name: Trygonoptera personata

Family: Urolophidae

Identification: Disc vaguely rhomboid with mildly pointed snout. Dorsum pale - yellow brown or gray with dark mask around and between eyes and second dark patch at centre of back. Tail pale with dark tip and moderately sized dorsal fin anterior to spine.

Size: Maximum length at least 47cm.

Habitat: Observed on sand near or under rocky reefs and sea grass flats to at least 70m.

Abundance and distribution: Western Australia, from Bunbury north to Shark Bay.

Behavior:

Reproduction: Ovoviviparous.

Observations:

Photographs: Rottnest Island, Western Australia.

Similar species: Striped stingaree: distinguished by darker dorsum with parallel dark stripes extending down back and tail

Reaction to divers: Fairly easily approached with slow movements.

Diving logistics: This species is often encountered by divers at Rottnest Island. Malabu Divers on the island can organize charters. Divers staying on the island can attempt to locate this stingaree on shore dives - follow the sand line at the edge of reefs for the best chance of an encounter. Perth Diving Academy on the mainland also run charters to Rottnest at the weekend and weekdays during the holiday season.

Other diving locations submitted by readers:

References and further reading:

Sharks and Rays of Australia. Peter Last. CSIRO.

Sharks and Rays - Elasmobranch Guide of the World. Ralf M. Hennemann. IKAN.

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