Spotted Eagle Ray

Description:

The Spotted Eagle Ray is a cartilaginous fish of the eagle ray family, Myliobatidae. It can be found globally in tropical regions, including the Gulf of Mexico, Hawaii, off the coast of West Africa, the Indian Ocean, Oceania, and on both coasts of the Americas. The rays are most commonly seen alone, but occasionally swim in groups. This ray can be identified by its dark dorsal surface covered in white spots or rings. Near the base of the ray's relatively long tail, just behind the pelvic fins, are several venomous, barbed stingers. Spotted eagle rays commonly feed on small fish and crustaceans, and will sometimes dig with their snouts to look for food buried in the sand of the sea bed.

Habitat:

Spotted Eagle Ray swimming around in Waimea Bay, Oahu, Hawaii.

Notes:

This one was in a playful mood and seemed contend to just swim with me for about 5-10 minutes or so. There were dolphins playing in the area, makes me wonder if the Eagle Ray felt that I as a snorkeler would offer some sort of protection from the dolphins? He let me take many pictures, and I even got a pretty decent video to go with it!