Scientific name:Aetobatus narinari

Description: A fairly large species, measuring 8 ft in length excluding the tail, the spotted eagle ray is found in both the Atlantic and Pacific tropical and southern temperate oceans. They inhabit reefs sometimes traveling in schools. The ray uses its flattened teeth plates to crush shells of crabs and other crustaceans for consumption. They are easily identified by the white or light yellow spots uniformly draped onto the dark blue-gray skin of the dorsal side. The tail may be 5 to 9 feet in length with one or more poisonous spines at its base. The spotted eagle ray swims by undulating its pectoral fins and appearing to “fly” in the water column. These rays are eaten by sharks such as the silvertip and the great hammerhead.

Fun Facts:

- This species is able to completely leap out of the water!

- Eagle rays use electroreception via pores much in the same way sharks do. The pores near its mouth can detect small nearby electrical signals from prey lying underneath the sand.