Page 109 - World of Animals - Book of Sharks & Ocean Predators

Rays
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The majestic wing-like 2
fins are characteristic of

ATLANTIC TORPEDO eagle rays as a group, but
RAY Atlantic the spotted eagle ray is 1. Most 3. Rarest
Torpedo nobiliana even more distinctive with
Class Chondrichthyes its beautiful colouration intelligent Maltese ray
torpedo ray and polka-dot pattern. Manta ray Listed as Critically
Manta rays have Endangered by
This species puts on a stunning performance the largest brain the IUCN Red
This is a ray that really lives up to its superhero-style moniker. Not just size relative to List, the Maltese
Territory Atlantic Ocean,

Mediterranean Sea your average fish, this particular member of the ray family is capable of body mass of all ray was once
Diet Small sharks, fl ounder, producing strong electric currents in order to stun prey for a quick meal, fish species and common in the

mackerel or defend its honour against encroaching predators. Electric rays have often exhibit co- Mediterranean
Lifespan Unknown, likely
16-20 years two kidney-shaped organs in their bodies, situated near the gills, which operative and co- Sea. It is now
Adult weight 90kg / 198lbs are capable of producing a current of up to 220 volts. They do this by ordinated feeding restricted to the
Conservation Status
contracting the specialised muscles that are tightly packed together within behaviour. Manta Sicilian channel
these electrogenic organs. Because of this formidable party trick, electric rays are much around Malta,
rays are able to swiftly stun and then feast upon dinner delights that more than just and is blighted by
DATA DEFICIENT
would ordinarily be too fast for them to catch. pretty faces. heavy trawling.
2. Smallest 4. Most

It’s easy to see why this fish is also OCELLATE RIVER RAY
known as the ‘peacock-eye’ ray – like Potamotrygon motoro Lesser electric ray spectacular
the eyed feather of a peacock, the Class Chondrichthyes This tiny little Mobula ray
detailed pattern on its back can act as critter can be Mobula rays
a decoy for would-be predators.
found in shallow gather in huge
waters on the shoals at certain
Territory Southern South east coast of times of the year.
America USA and South To stand out
Diet Small molluscs,
crustaceans and insect larvae America and from the crowd,
Lifespan Unknown in the Gulf of they launch
Adult weight Up to 32kg / Mexico. It is on themselves into
74lbs average just the air and land
Ocellate river ray Conservation Status 20cm/8” across on the water with
and weighs about a resounding
The freshwater addition to the family DATA DEFICIENT 0.5kg/1lb. boom noise.
Where most of the ray family are ocean-dwelling critters, there are a few
select members that make their home in the fresh water of river basins.
The ocellate river ray is one of these, living in the riverine systems of South

America. Looking like a flat, circular pancake with a long spined tail and
prominent eyes, this ray lies at the bottom of sand banks and silty
river bottoms in wait for tasty prey to come along. When
lying on a sandy riverbed, their gills and mouths on the
underside of the body can’t be used, so the ray (like many
The manta is sometimes known
other ray species) takes in water to pass over the as ‘devil ray’, due to the two large
gills through a special opening known as a spiracle, fins on its head that look like horns.

situated behind each eye. These are actually used to guide
plankton-rich water into the mouth
while feeding.
MANTA RAY
Manta birostris Manta ray
Class Chondrichthyes A butterfl y
These gentle giants are
the largest rays of them all ray is not
The colossal manta ray is one of the ocean’s biggest
Territory Tropical seas an insect
worldwide softies. Its huge size might look daunting with its huge

Diet Plankton fins that could comfortably cover your family car, but these

Lifespan Unknown, thought creatures are of no threat to humans whatsoever. Manta rays feed Butterfly rays are not at all related to real

to be 50–100 years butterflies! Instead, this group of rays get their
Adult weight Up to 1,350kg / by opening their large mouths and drawing in seawater. They fi lter all name from their wide set of pectoral fins that

2,976lbs of the tiny microorganisms out of each liquid mouthful – one full-grown
Conservation Status look very much like wings, along with their
manta can suck down 27kg/60lbs of food in one day! short sharp tails that resemble a butterfly’s

There are two species of manta ray. One is proportionately smaller and © Thinkstock; Dreamstime

lives on tropical reefs. The other is more migratory and travels from one body. The rays use their strong fins to ‘fly’ © Thinkstock; FLPA
VULNERABLE through the water, mimicking a slowmo
area of oceanic upwelling to another in search of plankton.

version of a wing flutter.
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