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Marine Life Encyclopedia

Sharks & Rays

Spotted Eagle Ray

Aetobatus narinari

Distribution

Worldwide in tropical to warm temperate latitudes

ECOSYSTEM/HABITAT

Coastal; live on soft bottoms

FEEDING HABITS

Foraging predator

TAXONOMY

Order Myliobatiformes (stingrays and relatives), Family Myliobatidae (eagle rays)

Reaching widths of nearly 11 feet (over 3 m), the spotted eagle ray is one of the largest eagle rays, with only the mantas growing bigger. Spotted eagle rays, like all eagle rays, are active swimmers and do not lie motionless on the seafloor, like the closely related whiptail stingrays (e.g., southern stingray). They are foraging predators and are known to eat a variety of invertebrate and fish prey. Just like the name implies, the spotted eagle ray is covered in spots and other markings. It is unmistakable with any other species throughout its range.

Spotted eagle rays live along the open coast in warm waters throughout the world, though they are often associated with coral reefs and sometimes enter protected bays to feed or mate. They are generally considered a coastal species, but the worldwide geographic distribution implies that some individuals must migrate far distances over deep water. It is possible, however, that further genetic study will reveal that spotted eagle rays in different ocean basins (e.g., Atlantic vs. Pacific oceans) are actually different species.

Spotted eagle rays reproduce via internal fertilization and give live birth. However, they do not connect to their young through a placenta, like in most mammals. Instead, embryos live off of energy obtained from yolk sacs, and only after the juveniles are able to survive on their own does the mother give birth to her young (1-4 pups per litter). This low reproductive potential, along with their natural rarity, contributes to experts considering spotted eagle rays as ‘near threatened’ with extinction. This species is not directly targeted by commercial fisheries, but it is captured as accidental bycatch in fisheries targeting other species. Furthermore, it is occasionally captured alive to be displayed in public aquariums. Worldwide populations are declining, and careful monitoring is necessary to ensure that conservation measures can be enacted should populations reach threateningly low numbers.

Fun Facts About Spotted Eagle Rays

1. Spotted eagle rays grow to a maximum length of 16.4 feet (5 m), including the tail, and 507 pounds (230 kg). Their wingspan reaches a maximum width of 9.8 feet (3 m) from tip to tip.

2. Spotted eagle rays can be found from the surface to just over 196 feet (60 m) deep.

3. Spotted eagle rays can leap their entire bodies out of the water while swimming close to the surface.

4. Spotted eagle rays have venomous spines on their tails that are used in defense against threats.

5. Spotted eagle rays have plate-like teeth used to crush their preferred prey, including clams, oysters, sea urchins and shrimp.1

References:

1 Florida Museum

IUCN Red List

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