1. Which is a skate, which is a sting ray?

2. J. Bird's skates and rays video

3. Rays and Skates Flattened bodies Live on the bottom
5 paired gill slits on the underside of the body
Pectoral fins are like wings
Eyes and spiracles are on the top of the head

4. Pectoral fins

5. Sting Rays Whip like tail equipped with stinging spines for defense.
Poison Glands- abdominal wounds can be fatal
Eat clams, crabs, small fish found in the sediment.

6. Telling them apart

7. Differences: SKATES RAYS Oviparous (egg laying)
normally have prominent dorsal fins
smaller
Viviparous (live bearing)
Dorsal fins are absent or reduced.  
larger

8. Ratfishes or Chimaeras
30 species
Deep-water
One pair of gill slits covered by a flap of skin
Feed on bottom dwelling crustaceans and mollusks

9. Ratfish

10. Chondrichthyes Vs
Osteichthyes