Spotted Eagle Ray Facts - Photos - Earth's Endangered Creatures

Scientific Name:

Aetobatus narinari

Other Names and/or Listed subspecies:

Maylan, Bonnetray

Group:

Fishes

Status/Date Listed as Endangered:

NT-IUCN: 2006

Area(s) Where Listed As Endangered:

Africa, Asia, Australia, Central America, Middle East, North America (including United States and US Island Territory and Hawaii), Oceans, South America

Creature Profile

The Spotted Eagle Ray (Aetobatus narinari) is a large species of ray that is easily recognizable by its unique spotted pattern. It has a flattened diamond-shaped body with a long snout, and can grow up to 10 feet in length and weigh up to 500 pounds. Its upper body is typically a dark blue or black color, while its underside is white. Its wings are covered in white spots, which give it its distinctive appearance.

The Spotted Eagle Ray can be found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world, including the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. It prefers shallow, sandy areas near coral reefs or rocky formations. It reproduces via internal fertilization, with the male using modified pelvic fins called claspers to transfer sperm to the female.

Despite being a relatively common species, the Spotted Eagle Ray is facing numerous threats that have led to its decline. These include habitat destruction, overfishing, and accidental entanglement in fishing nets. To help protect the species, various conservation measures have been put in place, such as fishing restrictions and the establishment of marine protected areas. Additionally, research is ongoing to better understand the species' biology and behavior, which can help inform conservation efforts.

Wikipedia Article

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Wikipedia Article
Copyright Notice: This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Spotted eagle ray".

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Spotted Eagle Ray Facts Last Updated:
March 10, 2023

To Cite This Page:
Mugo, C. R. 2025. "Earth's Endangered Creatures - Spotted Eagle Ray Facts" (Online). Accessed 11/8/2025 at https://earthsendangered.com/profile.asp?sp=9439&ID=5.

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« Previous Page

Spotted Eagle Ray Facts Last Updated:
March 10, 2023

To Cite This Page:
Mugo, C. R. 2025. "Earth's Endangered Creatures - Spotted Eagle Ray Facts" (Online). Accessed 11/8/2025 at https://earthsendangered.com/profile.asp?sp=9439&ID=5.

Need more Spotted Eagle Ray facts?

Custom Search

Eight Species Declared Extinct But May Still be Out There

1. Tasmanian Tiger
The Tasmanian tiger is endemic to Australia. Although this species is called tiger (named for its stripes) and wolf (due to its canid-like appearance), it is not a member of the cat or wolf family. It is a member of the marsupial family. Other members of this family include kangaroos and koala bears.

The last known Tasmanian tiger died in a zoo in Hobart, Tasmania in 1936, but there have been hundreds of unconfirmed sightings, and a reserve has been set up in Southwestern Tasmania in the hopes that possible surviving individuals can have adequate habitat.