ExploreFish

Spotted Eagle Ray

Aetobatus narinari

Spotted Eagle Rays have beautiful spotted patterns on their backs! They glide gracefully along the ocean floor.

Habitat: Shallow coastal waters

Appearance

The Spotted Eagle Ray has a distinctive dark blue to black dorsal surface covered with numerous white spots, resembling stars in the night sky. It possesses a flattened, duck-like snout and a long, whip-like tail with several venomous barbs near its base, making it visually unique among rays.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassElasmobranchiiOrderMyliobatiformesFamilyMyliobatidaeGenusAetobatus

Spotted Eagle Ray

Interesting facts

Baby eagle rays are born live, swimming immediately after birth!

Sometimes, hundreds of these rays swim together in amazing schools!

Their long tail can have up to five venomous barbs for defense!

They use their snout like a shovel to dig for food in the seabed!

Special abilities

Spotted Eagle Rays can dig into the sand with their snout that helps them uncover hidden prey like clams and crabs.

Spotted Eagle Rays can breach, jumping high out of the water, possibly to escape predators or remove parasites.

Spotted Eagle Rays have special electroreceptors that help them detect electrical fields from prey buried in the sand.

Spotted Eagle Rays have powerful, plate-like teeth that help them easily crush the hard shells of mollusks.

Measurements & details

Length: 150-300 cm
Weight: 100-230 kg
Lifespan: 15-23 years
Swim Speed: 48 km/h
Max Depth: 80 m
Water Type: Saltwater

Diet & Feeding

They munch on tasty shellfish, crabs, and small fish hidden on the seabed with their powerful jaws!

Primary Foods

clams
oysters
shrimp
crabs
squid
small fish

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

Tiger Shark

Galeocerdo cuvier

A primary predator of rays.

eaten by

Great Hammerhead

Sphyrna mokarran

Hunts them in shallow coastal areas.

symbiotic with

Remora

Echeneis naucrates

Attaches for transport and food scraps.

hunts

Hard Clam

Mercenaria mercenaria

A favorite food, dug from the seabed.

Traits

Wildlife

Step into the incredible world of wild animals and plants living freely in nature. From tiny insects to towering trees, it's all part of the wild wonders around us!

Gliding

Watch as animals take a graceful leap and soar through the air without flapping their wings! They use special flaps of skin or body shapes to glide from one spot to another.

Piscivorous

Discover amazing animals that love to eat fish! They're like expert underwater hunters, always on the lookout for a tasty meal from the rivers, lakes, and oceans.

Thermoregulating

Learn about incredible animals that can keep their body temperature just right, no matter how hot or cold it gets outside! They have special ways to stay warm or cool.

Coastal

Discover life found along the edges where land meets the sea! These habitats are always changing with the tides and waves, offering unique environments.

Diurnal

Wake up with creatures that are most active during the day! They love the sunshine for finding food, playing, and exploring.

Speedster

Discover creatures that dart, zip, and fly with incredible swiftness, making them masters of rapid movement in their habitats. They are built for speed, whether chasing prey or escaping danger.