Spotted Eagle Ray / Aetobatus narinari

Common Names: Spotted eagle ray, White-spotted eagle ray

Latin Name: Aetobatus narinari

Family: Myliobatidae

Identification: Very wide rhomboid disc. Prominent brow with flattened, pointed snout. Very long, whip like tail (often broken off part way). Dorsum black, bluish, or gray, covered with small white spots. In some individuals the white spots can be slightly larger with black centers. The species is apparently under review and may be divided in the future. Ventrum pale.

Size: Wing span to 200cm. Max 250cm. Nose to tail (when complete) max 500cm.

Habitat: Cruises reef faces and sand flats (where it feeds). Also open ocean. Intertidal to 24m.

Abundance: Commonly seen in Florida and Caribbean.

Distribution: On the Atlantic coast from Virginia to Brazil. Circumtropical.

Behavior: Known to school in some areas. It feeds by scooping its flattened snout through the sand. Preys mainly on mollusks.

Reproduction: Ovoviviparous.

Reaction to divers: Generally shy and hard to approach. The best way I have found to get close to these rays is to sneak up on them from behind when feeding

Photography: Playa Santa Maria / Los Cabos Corredor / Alberto Misrachi