Spotted Eagle Ray
Spotted Eagle Ray with Palometas
| Name: | Spotted Eagle Ray |
| Scientific Name: | Aetobatus narinari |
| Family: | Eagle Rays |
| Taxonomic: | Myliobatidae |
| ID Group: | Rays, Sharks, Dolphins, Turtles |
| Size: | 4 - 6.5 ft. |
| Depth Range: | On the reef (10 – 60 ft.) |
| Sightings: | Seen sometimes |
This Ray has a dark back covered in white and pale spots. Its underside is white, and its broad, flattened snout gives its head a duck-like shape. A long, thin tail extends from its body, with one to five venomous spines near the base.
The Spotted Eagle Ray is often seen gliding along drop-offs and over sandy areas. It occasionally digs in the sand to feed on mollusks. Usually solitary, it may sometimes be seen in pairs or, on rare occasions, in schools during migration or spawning. It is generally shy and avoids divers.