Cartilaginous fish of the suborder stingray (Myliobatoidei) have evolved an efficient active self-defence method against potential predators via a poisonous tail spine with a unique venom delivery system and a poorly described venom composition. Abrief overview of this defence mechanism is followed by a description of injury from an encounter with the Whiptail Stingray (Dasyatis margarita) on the mangrove shore of Guinea–Bissau (West Africa). and Aleš Buček, Petr Jan Juračka.