Eagle Ray

ID points

• Inky black back covered in white spots
• Head juts forward in a duck-bill shape, separate from the pectoral fins
• Whip-thin tail with one to several venomous spines at its base

Basics

Family

Myliobatidae

Length

1.5–3.0 m

Depth

1-80 m

Regions

Temperate & polar · Estuary & freshwater

Distribution

Shallow tropical to temperate seas, coral reefs and estuaries

Habitat

Open water over reefs and sandy flats

Diet

Molluscs, crustaceans

Easily confused with

Cownose RayFront of the head is notched into two lobes, like a cow's noseManta RayHuge diamond-shaped pectoral fins like spread wingsBlue-spotted Ribbontail RayRings of vivid electric blue spots on a yellow-brown ground

Fun fact

The eagle ray is scattered with white spots across its back and has a distinctive flat, duck like snout. Migrating schools can be several hundred strong, and the rays look as though they are flying through the water. They often leap clear of the surface as well.