VU
Vulnerable
A
Animalia
N
Native
Archipelago Wide (sea)
The spotted eagle ray is a cartilaginous fish belonging to the eagle ray family, Aetobatidae. These rays are known for their distinctive dark dorsal surface covered in white spots or rings, and their relatively long tails with venomous, barbed stingers near the base. Is a striking and photogenic species found in the Galapagos Islands. Known for their distinctive dark dorsal surface covered in white spots, these rays are a highlight for snorkelers and divers. They have pointed heads, long tails with venomous barbed stingers, and a wingspan ranging from one to two meters. In the Galapagos, spotted eagle rays prefer shallow coastal waters where they feed on small fish, crabs, shrimps, octopus, squids, sea urchins, and mollusks. They use their long snouts to dig in the soft sand to find prey and their sharp teeth to crush shells². These rays are often seen gliding gracefully along the ocean floor, almost as if flying underwater. They are foraging predators, feeding on small fish and crustaceans, and are known to dig with their snouts to find food buried in the sand. Spotted eagle rays reproduce via internal fertilization and give live birth, with females retaining the eggs and releasing the young as miniature versions of the parent.