In the shallow waters along Guam's southern coast a bluespotted stingray glides effortlessly among corals and sponges The 17 inch wide 43 2 cm female curls her wings and tilts her body to maneuver through the reef She is headed toward the mangrove forest along the shores of Apra Harbor Among the tangled mangrove roots the ray finds a secluded spot to settle down Her olive green coloration helps her blend into the muddy seabed Her
underbelly is swollen She has been carrying seven offspring called pups since early October Now the time has come for the ray to give birth One by one the pups emerge tail first Their bodies are rolled up like slimy little burritos The pups unfurl their wings and immediately dart for cover disappearing into the murky shadows Within minutes the pups are left on their own as the mother ray swims back to the reef
