CREATURE FEATURE: Spotted Eagle Ray

This month we're showcasing the magnificent Spotted Eagle Ray.

As their name suggests eagle rays have all the majesty and grace of an eagle. But instead of gliding effortlessly through the sky they do so underwater. The Spotted Eagle Ray is one of the largest eagle rays with a wing-span that can stretch over 3m!

These beautiful rays are generally shy of humans. They like their own company but will also often travel in large groups to cross open water. Groups can consist of several hundred individuals. Each with their own unique pattern of white spots!

As active foragers they have a keen sense of smell. Sniffing out prey hidden in the sand, they then use their large snouts to dig them out. Their flat crushing teeth can crunch through the hardest of shells. Making short work of crabs, oysters and sea urchins.

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Aetobatus narinari
FAMILY: Myliobatidae (Eagle Rays)
MAXIMUM SIZE: Max wing-span 3m
DIET: Molluscs, crustaceans & small fish
DISTRIBUTION: Worldwide in tropical to warm temperate waters
HABITAT: Coastal, preferring shallow bays & coral reefs
CONSERVATION STATUS: Near Threatened

Love Discovering Sharks?

► Delve into our Discover Sharks section for even more fun shark facts to impress your friends

► Check out other incredible sharks covered in our Creature Features

Comments (0)

Please verify your action

Comment (maximum 3500 characters) (required)

Add a picture

Notify me when someone makes a comment

First name (required)

Last name (required)

Email (required)

Which country do you live in?

Postcode (required)

Address line 1

Address line 2

Town or city

Keeping in Touch

If you're happy for us to stay in touch please select the ways you'd like us to contact you below. You can also sign up for our monthly newsletter at the bottom of this page. Keeping you up to date with all our latest work.

Via email

Via telephone

Via SMS

Via post

Which country do you live in?

Postcode (required)

Address line 1

Address line 2

Town or city

Your Privacy

We'll always store your personal details securely. We'll use them to provide the service you've requested, and communicate with you in the way(s) that you've agreed to. Your data may also be used for analysis purposes, to help us provide the best service possible. For full details see our Privacy Policy

By submitting this form you are agreeing to our terms and conditions

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Last updated: 8 February 2019

Before using the Shark Trust website please ensure you agree to our terms and conditions below.

The Shark Trust is a charity registered in the United Kingdom. And so our terms are governed by the appropriate laws in the United Kingdom.

By using our website you agree to the following:

CONTENT & COPYRIGHT

Our website provides information, images, graphics, logos and video content. The purpose of this information is to promote sharks and our work to conserve them. We take a great deal of care to ensure all our content is accurate and relevant. But we cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies that may occur on our site. Or on any third party websites that we link to.

This includes but isn't limited to:

1. Any liability for damage to your computer hardware, data, information, materials and business resulting from the information, or the lack of information, available.

2. Any errors, omissions or inaccuracies in the information.

3. Any decision made or action taken (or not taken) in reliance upon the information.
We're not liable for any losses or damages caused as a result of using or relying on the information we provide. This also includes any damage to reputation.

All content (including images and illustrations) remains the property of the Shark Trust. Unless otherwise attributed. And is protected by copyright laws.

Copyrighted material cannot be used without the express permission of the copyright holder. So, if you'd like to use content on this website you must have our express permission to do so. And the Shark Trust should always be credited.

The Shark Trust name and logo are registered trademarks. They may not be used in association with any product or service without the prior written consent of the Shark Trust.

PURCHASES

Our website links to our online shop. This is a separate ecommerce platform provided by Shopify and operated by the Shark Trust. Click here to view terms for using our Shark Shop.

When you buy something from our shop you'll be asked to supply certain information relevant to your order. This includes your name, address and payment details. This information is required so we can process and deliver your order.

Personal information is handled by the Shark Trust in accordance with GDPR as described in our Privacy Policy.

SUBSCRIPTIONS & DONATIONS

If you subscribe or make a donation through our website, you'll be asked to supply certain relevant information. Such as your name, address, payment details, and Gift Aid declaration.

Personal information is handled by the Shark Trust in accordance with GDPR as described in our Privacy Policy.

CONTENT

Our website enables you to create your own fundraising pages, post, comment, link, store, share and otherwise make available certain information, text, graphics, videos, or other material.

As a condition of use, you promise not to use our website for any purpose that is unlawful, prohibited by these terms, or for any other purpose that's not reasonably intended by the Shark Trust.

This includes, without limitation, using our website to:

1. Threaten, abuse, harass, impersonate, intimidate or embarrass any person;

2. Transfer any user content that is libellous, defamatory, illegal, abusive, offensive or profane;

3. Communicate with Shark Trust representatives, or other users, in an abusive or offensive manner;

4. Post copyrighted content that doesn’t belong to you unless appropriately attributed.
The Shark Trust reserves the right to remove any user content without notice.

USER ACCOUNTS

Subject to moderation you can register for an account. When you register for an account you may be asked to supply certain relevant information. This includes your name, address and email contact details.

Personal information is handled by the Shark Trust in accordance with GDPR as described in our Privacy Policy.

TERMINATION

We hold the right to terminate or suspend access to your account immediately and without prior notice or liability. We can do so for any reason, including without limitation, if you breach these terms.

LINKS TO OTHER WEBSITES

Our website contains links to third-party websites or services that are not owned or controlled by the Shark Trust.

We have no control over these websites, and assume no responsibility for their content, privacy policies, or practices. You further acknowledge and agree that the Shark Trust will not be responsible or liable (directly or indirectly) for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with use of or reliance on any such content, goods or services available on or through any such web sites or services.

CHANGES

We reserve the right, at our sole discretion, to modify or replace these terms at any time. If a revision is material we'll try to provide at least 15 days' notice before any new terms take effect. What constitutes a material change will be determined at our sole discretion.

CONTACT US

If you have any questions about these terms, please contact us.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Latest

CREATURE FEATURE: DUSKY SHARK

This month we’re taking a look at the Dusky Shark, a highly migratory species with a particularly slow growth rate and late age at maturity.
Shark Month @ Royal William Yard

Shark Week is a renowned cultural phenomenon – but Plymouth is going bigger and better this summer by welcoming Shark Month to Royal William Yard this July.
The Little Book of Sharks X Shark Trust

I am a graphic designer in Austin,Texas and have been working on a book about sharks for a few months that is primarily focused on illustration rather than information, though it does include facts about various intriguing sharks. At the end of the book,I direct purchasers to a variety of organizations protecting and advocating for sharks, and have selected you guys to receive 25% of the proceeds from this project! I'm also wanting to start a fundraiser to potentailly raise more funds!
#TeamSHARK take on Plymouth Half Marathon 2024

We work in shark conservation because a 1/3 of all sharks and rays are threatened with extinction. If we are able to do more, we can make sure they have a positive future! By donating, you are supporting the important work we do for sharks and rays!!