Golden cownose ray (juveniles)

Project Noah Fun Fact: Found in open seas, shallow seas, subtidal aquatic beds, estuarine waters, intertidal marshes, and coastal saline lagoons, golden cownose rays are found in the waters of Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, and Peru. Rays are distinguished by their flattened bodies, enlarged pectoral fins that are fused to the head, and gill slits that are placed on their ventral surfaces. Cownose rays are known for their long migrations in large schools. Check out the photos and information here:
http://www.snopes.com/photos/animals/ray...

Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_cow...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batoidea

Golden cownose ray - juveniles (Rhinoptera steindachneri) spotted in Provincia de Galápagos, Ecuador by PN member KarenL.

https://www.facebook.com/projectnoah/pho...

Thanks Gerardo!
alice, we were told that these were juveniles & that they stay in a group in the lagoon because they are relatively safe from predators there - they stay close to the mangroves & swim for cover when they perceive any threat. Once they reach breeding age they leave for the open water.

The water looks so pure! Do they normally travel in groups?

Another great spotting :)

Thanks Yuko!

Amazing spotting!