Like sharks, rays have cartilaginous skeletons. 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.

Eagle rays give birth to 4 to 7 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.