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Project Noah Nature School
Aetobatus narinari
These rays have striking coloration of lighter spots or circles (white, yellow, light green or bluish-white) against a black, dark gray or brown background of smooth skin. The pattern of spots on an eagle ray's skin can be used by scientists to identify individual rays. The spotted eagle ray has a white ventral surface. Spotted eagle rays have a long, whip-like tail that is darkly colored. The tail may be 2-3 times as long as the body is wide. This tail has up to 7 barbed spines that can be used for defense. While the ray usually shies away from humans, the venomous spines can be dangerous if the ray is provoked. Spotted eagle rays have a broad snout, large spiracles, and a duckbill-shaped lobe at the front of their head. They have a small dorsal fin and pelvic fins at the posterior end (back end) of their body.
Ranguana Cay, Belize
Spotted on Oct 17, 2013
Submitted on Nov 26, 2013
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