Rays, stingrays and skates
What is the difference between rays, stingrays and skates?
Rays
Manta Rays: Known for their large size and graceful swimming, manta rays are filter feeders that consume plankton and small fish. Eagle Rays: Characterized by their long, wing-like pectoral fins, eagle rays are strong swimmers and can often be seen leaping out of the water. Electric Rays: These rays have specialized organs that can produce electric shocks, which they use to stun prey and defend themselves. Cownose Rays: Named for their distinctively shaped head, cownose rays are known for their migratory behavior and often travel in large schools. |
Stingrays
These rays have a venomous stinger on their tail, which they use for defense. They are often found in shallow coastal waters. Southern Stingray: Recognized by its diamond-shaped disc and venomous spine on the tail, the Southern Stingray can reach up to 6.5 feet in wingspan. Bluespotted Stingray: Known for its rhomboidal shape and blue spots, this stingray has a long tail with two venomous spines. Round Stingrays: These stingrays have relatively short tails and well-developed tail fins. They are found in the Pacific and western Atlantic. |
Skates
Similar to stingrays but without the venomous stinger, skates are typically found in colder waters and have a more rounded body shape. Thornback Skate: Known for its thorny projections on the back and tail, the Thornback Skate is found in cool waters and has a more rounded body shape. Little Skate: A smaller species of skate, the Little Skate is found in the western Atlantic and has a more rounded body shape. |
Web Resources |
Focus Questions |
|
How to tell rays apart
www.citrusreef.com/blogs/news/different-types-of-rays Dutch Shark Society 12 Different Types of Rays with Pictures Aquarium Whisperer 44 Different Types of Rays: Identification Guide Britannica Stingray | Definition, Species, Habitat, Size, & Facts | Britannica |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Colouring in sheets
|
|
|
|