RAY & SKATE FACTS
Rays and skates are closely related to sharks, all of which are members of the group called elasmobranchs. Each species within this group has a cartilaginous skeleton and 5 or more gill slits on each side of their body. Dive in below to learn more!
RAYS - FACTS
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Some lay egg cases (oviparous) and some give birth to live young (viviparous)
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Dorsoventrally flattened
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Enlarged pectoral fins
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Dorsally positioned eyes
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Ventrally positioned mouths, gill, and nostrils
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Fossil record for rays goes as far back as 150 million years ago
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Largest ray = Giant Manta Ray
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Many stingrays camouflage by reflecting the colors of their environment
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The tail of a stingray often contains a serrated barb, which may produce venom
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Rays encompass 3 orders:
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Rhinopristiformes
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Sawfishes
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Guitarfishes
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​Wedgefishes
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Myliobatiformes
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Stingrays
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300+ extant species
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Torpediniformes
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Electric rays
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Manta ray photo by Jillian Morris
Lesser Electric Ray
(Narcine bancroftii)
Photo by Gabriel Jensen
Spotted Eagle Ray
(Aetobatus narinari)
Photo by Sophie Hart
Yellow Stingrays mating
(Urobatis jamaicensis)
Photo by Kelly Tyler
Southern Stingray
(Hypanus americanus)
Photo by Jillian Morris
SKATES - FACTS
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Oviparous
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Eggs are known as “mermaid purses”
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Similar in appearance to rays, but generally much smaller overall
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Small teeth
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Common skate is the largest skate at 250 cm
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They do not have spines
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Carnivorous
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Order Rajiformes
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Family Rajidae
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Most skates have dorsal spines
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Some skates have weak electrical organs that potentially allow them to communicate with other skates
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Pelvic fins can be used as modified feet. They can be seen using them to “walk” on the seafloor.
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Thorny skate photo by Andy Murch
Thorny Skate
(Amblyraja radiata)
Photo by Andy Murch
Biscuit Skate
(Raja straeleni)
Photo by Andy Murch
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