Spotted Eagle Ray By Jennifer Adams

Description 3.5 m (11 ft) wide 9m (30 ft) long Max 507 lbs long snout (duck’s bill) whip like long tale abundance of white ringed spots Spotted Duckbill Ray

Habitat Found worldwide in tropical and warm temperate waters - Off the coast of North Carolina and Florida - Gulf Mexico - Caribbean Commonly observed in bays and over coral reefs Can swim inshore but also at depths up to 200 feet Very social, likes to swim in schools in open water

Spotted Eagle Ray

Predators & Prey Sharks -Silvertip Shark - Great Hammerhead Reported following birthing season to feed on newborn pups Clams, oysters, shrimp, octopus, squid and sea urchins Shovel shaped snout to dig through mud, crushes with plate like teeth, taste buds sort between shell and flesh

Importance to Humans Minor commercial fishing Game fishing (“puts up a good fight”) Capture using trawls, trammel nets, and longlines Poor quality of flesh, rarely eaten Shy and difficult to approach Potentially dangerous to humans due to the venomous tail spines that can inflict serious wounds.

Interesting Facts Considered “Near Threatened” by the World Conservation Union (IUCN) Spotted Eagle Rays can be found at most Aquariums There is very minimal data on life span and population of a Spotted Eagle Ray Researchers in Bahama Islands, tagged 17 rays, tracked 98 consecutive hours and learned that they fall into 4 phases - Resting phase (1-2 hrs), Commuting phase (as tide raised), Foraging phase (high tide, feed & socialize), Go home

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