Spotted Eagle Ray

ocean creatures · cartilaginous fish · tropical waters · ocean hunter

Wings like an eagle. Spotted eagle rays have flat, wing-like fins that flap through the water just like an eagle flies through the air. This is how they got their amazing name.

Ocean wanderers. These rays live in tropical oceans all around the world, including the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. They prefer warm water and spend their time near the seafloor hunting for food.

Babies born live. Female spotted eagle rays keep their eggs inside their bodies and give birth to fully formed babies that look like tiny versions of their parents. This is called ovoviviparity.

Mostly solo swimmers. Spotted eagle rays usually swim alone, quietly hunting along the ocean bottom. Sometimes they gather in groups, but they prefer their own company most of the time.

Bottom feeders. These rays use their special snouts to dig and search through sand and mud on the seafloor, hunting for hidden snacks like small fish, crustaceans, and other creatures.