Northern stargazers

Northern stargazers - once seen, can't be unseen.

Stargazers can be found in the lower Chesapeake Bay and will sometimes wash ashore at places like Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia. Their name comes from their sky-facing eyes that let them burrow in the sand and lie in wait to ambush prey, but they also pack a dual punch - venom and electricity!
Their venom comes from two large spines above their pectoral fins, while their electricity comes from modified muscle tissue behind their eyes, called "sonic muscles" that can produce up to 50 volts. While the stargazer venom and electricity doesn't kill humans, both are dangerous and should be avoided.

Photo: Canvasman21 CC BY-SA 3.0