 Like other stingrays , the reticulate whipray is aplacental viviparous : the developing embryos are initially sustained by yolk , which is later supplanted by histotroph ( " uterine milk " , enriched with proteins and lipids ) produced by the mother . Females give birth to up to five pups in the summer , after a year @-@ long gestation period . Off South Africa , the newborns measure 28 – 30 cm ( 11 – 12 in ) across and sexual maturation is attained at a disc width of approximately 1 m ( 3 @.@ 3 ft ) , which corresponds to an age of 4 @-@ 5 . Off Australia , the newborns measure 21 – 28 cm ( 8 @.@ 3 – 11 @.@ 0 in ) across , with males reported to mature at 82 – 84 cm ( 32 – 33 in ) across . The juveniles of this species , H. leoparda , and H. undulata differ in birth size , disc shape , denticle development , and amount of spotting , and are in fact more distinct from each other than are adults of the three species . Shark Bay may serve as a nursery area for young rays . 
