Spotted Eagle Ray | Oceana
Home / Spotted Eagle Ray
Marine Life Encyclopedia > Sharks & Rays > Spotted Eagle Ray

Spotted Eagle Ray

The spotted eagle ray is named after its distinct beak-like snout and dark back covered with contrasting white spots.

 

The spotted eagle ray can grow to be over 2.7 meters (9 feet) wide and over 2.4 meters (8 feet) long — even reaching lengths over 4.9 meters (16 feet) when including their long, whip-like tail! It was once thought to be the same species as the ocellated eagle ray (Aetobatus ocellatus), but research revealed that they are actually two separate species, with spotted eagle rays confined to the Atlantic Ocean while ocellated eagle rays live in the Indo-West and Central Pacific.

 Spotted eagle rays are often seen gliding around coral reefs and are also known to enter bays, lagoons, and estuaries. They have dramatic wing-like pectoral fins that they flap to propel themselves, in a way that makes it look like they are “flying” through the water. This species is known to leap out of the water to evade predators like the silvertip shark and the great hammerhead. As foraging predators, they are known to use their shovel-shaped snout to search the seafloor for a variety of prey — ranging from crustaceans and mollusks to fish and even octopuses. 

 

 

Spotted eagle rays are threatened by a variety of human activities, leading to their classification as Endangered  by the IUCN Red List. 

Overfishing 

These rays are targeted by artisanal gillnet fisheries and frequently caught as retained bycatch in industrial shrimp trawl fisheries. Their swimming behavior makes them vulnerable to many types of fishing gear throughout the water column. As a popular species amongst ocean enthusiasts, they are also occasionally captured alive to be displayed in public aquariums.

Habitat loss, climate change, and pollution 

As a coastal species that frequents coral reefs, estuaries, and bays, spotted eagle rays are vulnerable to habitat degradation caused by climate change, dredging, and pollution.

 

 

Stopping overfishing, destructive coastal activity, and pollution is essential to helping spotted eagle rays recover. Oceana is working around the world to reduce overfishing and bycatch, protect threatened marine wildlife, and safeguard vital ocean habitats.  

 

 

 

GET INVOLVED

DONATE TODAY

SUPPORT OUR WORK TO PROTECT THE OCEANS BY GIVING TODAY

With the support of more than 1 million activists like you, we have already protected over 4 million square miles of ocean.

DONATE

TAKE ACTION NOW

SUPPORT POLICY CHANGE FOR THE OCEANS

Decision-makers need to hear from ocean lovers like you. Make your voice heard!

ACT NOW

VISIT OUR ADOPTION CENTER

SYMBOLICALLY ADOPT AN ANIMAL TODAY

Visit our online store to see all the ocean animals you can symbolically adopt, either for yourself or as a gift for someone else.

SHOP THE STORE

DOWNLOAD OCEAN ACTIVITIES

HELP KIDS DISCOVER OUR BLUE PLANET

Our free KELP (Kids Environmental Lesson Plans) empower children to learn about and protect our oceans!

LEARN MORE

FEATURED CAMPAIGN

Save the Oceans, Feed the World

We are restoring the world’s wild fish populations to serve as a sustainable source of protein for people.

Learn More

MORE CAMPAIGNS

Protect Habitat

Bycatch

Plastics

View All

CONTACT

Oceana International Headquarters
1025 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20036 USA

General Inquiries
+1(202)-833-3900
info@oceana.org

Donation Inquiries
+1(202)-569-4895
wavemaker@oceana.org

Press Inquiries
+1(202)-833-3900
press@oceana.org

OCEANA'S EFFICIENCY

BECOME A WAVEMAKER

Sign up today to get weekly updates and action alerts from Oceana.

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT WITH A DONATION

We have already protected over 4 million square miles of ocean and innumerable sea life - but there is still more to be done.

Donate Now

QUICK LINKS: