The common stingray feeds mainly on demersal and benthic animals e.g. crustaceans and cephalopods. It is easily distinguishable from other skates and rays by its long, whip-like tail, lack of dorsal fins and large, stinging spine. The maximum age of ten years was recorded in the Mediterranean. Reproduction is ovoviviparous (live birth), with a gestation period of four months and 4-7 live young.

The depth at which this species lives makes it more vulnerable to small-scale fishing. The wings are sold for fish meat and oil. It has a low abundance in the Northeast Atlantic compared to the Mediterranean. It is ‘Data Deficient’ in the IUCN Red List but is assessed as 'Near Threatened' in the Northeast Atlantic (IUCN, 2009). Dasyatis pastinaca is potentially dangerous to humans due to its poisonous spine.