Venomous Cownose Rays Return To Jersey Shore Waters

It's that time of year here on the Jersey shore: sunshine, sand, swimming in the ocean. We're into full on beach season with crowds headed to local beaches to cool off from the heat and humidity. But humans aren't the only things in the water: Cownose Rays are back in our waters as their yearly migration takes them through the area. These interesting creatures have venomous spines that they can use in self defense. Here's what you need to know to stay safe.

The Cownose is one of those "winged" sea creatures, related to manta rays. An adult Cownose grows to between 2 to 4 feet wide, measured wing tip to wing tip. They tend to glide through the water near the shoreline as they migrate up and down the east coast. They have wide eyes placed just off the tip of the animal and a long, black tail that has a sharp barb on it.

Cownose Rays have been mistaken for sharks by beach goers because the tips of it's fins often stick out of the water. Their favorite food consists of clams and mussels and crabs on the ocean floor which they suck up into their mouths and crush with their odd plate-lined mouths. They don't really have teeth, so can't bite.

The short answer is: Not really. They do have a venomous barb on their long, black tail. The venom is not fatal to humans, however. And they generally don't attack things with the venomous barb unless they are in danger. If threatened they would likely thrash their tail, using it like a whip. They could also sting, which, while venomous, feels more like a potent bee sting. It is not fatal.

Most people who get whipped or stung by a Cownose Ray are done so because they accidentally step on the creature as it swims or stops to look for food on the ocean floor. It's best to keep an eye out as you go in and out of the ocean to cool off on these hot summer days.

This two-minute video can give you more insight:

Had a fun time the other day taking my kids to the Barnegat Lighthouse.  Yep, spent a bunch of time in the 609 and rockin' the 107.9 when I realized I Was Today Years Old When I Finally Climbed The Barnegat Lighthouse.  I've been to Long Beach Island a ton of times for work and for play.  But until the other day, I had never climbed the steps of the Barnegat Lighthouse.  It was a really cool experience so I thought I'd share a few pics.

My timing was pretty good because I learned that the lighthouse has recently reopened after a $1.3 million dollar restoration.

A few of my friends didn't even know you could climb up Ole' Barny.  Visiting was always in the back of my head but for one reason or another it had never worked out.  The day I chose to make the drive with my 10-year old boys was a cloudy day and very, very windy.  The forecast called for 20-30 mile an hour winds.  But at the top of 'ole Barny it was probably even windier.  Yup, you can go outside at the top of the Barnegat Lighthouse and walk around a little, circular porch that is at the top, just below the "lantern".  That porch is enclosed in a thick, sturdy, fully enclosed fence.  There's no chance of falling, but a cell phone might slip through, so careful!

The lighthouse is 163 feet tall.  There's a little stairway that wraps it's way up to the top of the Barnegat Lighthouse.  If I remember correctly, there's 217 steps to the top.  There's a cool, but short, trail that winds through the immediate area around the lighthouse called a "maritime forest".  There's a cool interpretive center.  Because the whole area is a New Jersey State Park, it's well maintained and there's picnic tables, bathrooms, and other similar amenities.  Click here for the Barnegat Lighthouse website.

There's no entrance charge in Fall, Spring and Winter.  It's $3 to get in during the summer months.  Visiting this Jersey shore historic landmark is a fun family trip.

Hey, there's no shortage of ice cream shops on L.B.I so pop in to one and grab a treat to round out the trip before you head back west on Route 72!