Common Eagle Ray Fish
Eagle rays are aptly named, because their pectoral disc is much wider han it is long, so the fish appears to have wings. They are also (along with the manta rays; much more active swimmers than most other rays, ‘flying’ through the water by flapping their wings, and even leaping into the air. They use their flat, plate-like teeth to crush crustacean and mollusc shells. The common eagle ray has a venomous tail spine but is not regarded as dangerous. The huge spotted eagle ray (Aetobatus narinari), up to 3m (10ft) wide, is common worldwide in the tropics and subtropics, including waters off the southern and south-eastern USA.
Scientific name : Myliobatis aquila
Classification : Order Myliobatiformes (great rays); sometimes included in Rajiformes
Family : Myliobatidae
Size : Up to about 1.8m (6ft) wide
Distribution : Eastern Atlantic from British Isles to South Africa; Mediterranean
Habitat : Temperate and tropical coastal waters; offshore to 300m (1000ft) deep
Diet : Mainly bottom-living crustaceans and molluscs; also fish
Reproduction : Ovoviviparous; three to seven young born after 6-8-month gestation