2022/01/27

Bluespotted ribbontail ray near Perth, Australia

© Jeff Rotman/Minden Pictures

We're not sure whether it deserves the blue ribbon for most colorful stingray or most literal name, but there's no doubt the bluespotted ribbontail ray is a standout. Shower it in accolades from a distance, though. Those bright blue polka dots are—as is the case with many brightly colored animals—a warning to predators that the ray's stinging tail packs a potent poison.