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

Some lay egg cases (oviparous) and some give birth to live young (viviparous)
Dorsoventrally flattened
Enlarged pectoral fins
Dorsally positioned eyes
Ventrally positioned mouths, gill, and nostrils
Fossil record for rays goes as far back as 150 million years ago
Largest ray = Giant Manta Ray
Many stingrays camouflage by reflecting the colors of their environment
The tail of a stingray often contains a serrated barb, which may produce venom
Rays encompass 3 orders:
- Rhinopristiformes
  - Sawfishes
  - Guitarfishes
  - Wedgefishes
- Myliobatiformes
  - Stingrays
  - 300+ extant species
- Torpediniformes
  - Electric rays

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

Oviparous
- Eggs are known as “mermaid purses”
Similar in appearance to rays, but generally much smaller overall
Small teeth
Common skate is the largest skate at 250 cm
They do not have spines
Carnivorous
Order Rajiformes
- Family Rajidae
Most skates have dorsal spines
Some skates have weak electrical organs that potentially allow them to communicate with other skates
Pelvic fins can be used as modified feet. They can be seen using them to “walk” on the seafloor.