The spotted eagle ray is an elegant, diamond-shaped ray that cruises open water and sandy bottoms across tropical and temperate seas. Distinctive white spots cover its dark back, and a long, whip-like tail trails behind. Reaching up to 3.3 metres, it hunts by flapping its wing-like pectoral fins and using a shovel-shaped snout to dig through sand for molluscs, crustaceans, and small fish. The species is listed as endangered and has declined significantly from overfishing.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Elasmobranchii
- Order
- Myliobatiformes
- Family
- Aetobatidae
- Genus
- Aetobatus
Most likely to be seen at
Sites where its range and habitat make it likely — not yet confirmed by a logged sighting.