Photo: Ahmed Abdul Rahman · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Description
- 📏 up to 3 m wingspan
- 🌊 lagoons, passes, sandy bottoms
The spotted eagle ray literally flies underwater: its dark, white-spotted disc beats like wings. Its protruding snout recalls a duck's bill and it has powerful tooth plates for crushing shellfish and crustaceans. It carries several spines at the base of its tail and is harmless if left alone.
Did you know?
In several archipelagos it is called fai manu, literally « bird ray », in reference to its large wings.
Source: TAXREF vernacular database
Tahitian names: TAXREF (Tuamotu, Austral); attested in reo Tahiti. French name: Raie aigle léopard.
📸 Add your photo
Did you meet this animal? Share your photo. It will be checked automatically (only photos of marine animals are published).
