Appearance and lifestyle:
Like sharks, eagle rays (Myliobatis aquila) have cartilaginous skeletons. Their bodies are wide, and diamond shaped with a long whip-like tail Eagle rays give birth to up to seven live young after a 12-month gestation period. They can live up to 20 years and weigh between 20 to 25kg. Rays are bottom-dwellers which use camouflage and toxic spines or electric shocks to defend themselves against predators.
Habitat:
Eagle rays are found in the Mediterranean, the eastern Atlantic and around our south coast to Kwa-Zulu Natal. Often caught in trawl nets at depths of up to 95m.
Diet:
They feed on molluscs and crustaceans.
Threats:
Overfishing, habitat loss, climate change etc. SASSI status: Orange.
Give birth to 4 to 7 live young after a 12-month gestation period
Use camouflage and toxic spines or electric shocks to defend themselves
Have cartilaginous skeletons, like sharks.