I first met these creatures when I visited the Atlanta Aquarium in the winter of 2011.
They were in a touch pool and I thought they were just so adorable!
(picture taken by me! from the Atlanta Aquarium)
Scientific name is Rhinoptera bonasus
A fully frown Cownose ray can have about a 3 foot "wingspan" and can weigh up to 50 lbs. Although, the average weight is around 35 - 40 lbs.
(taken by me. again, from the Atlanta Aquarium)
Its average life span is thought to be 12 to 18 years.
They are found in the Atlantic ocean and Caribbean ocean, New England and the northern parts of South America and West Africa.
They live in bays, estuaries and river mouths, but they also live in the open ocean in waters as deep as 80 ft. So they are pelagic creatures as well.
These creatures reproduce slowly and a female gives birth to only one live pup around mid-summer. When the pup is born, it comes out of the mother tail first and is between 10 - 18 inches long.
Cownose rays feed on oysters, clams, crabs and snails.
They swim on the bottom, rustling up the sediment searching for food.
They have two modified fins near their mouth that sucks their prey in. Their food is then crushed open with "dental plates" that can break through shells.
(not taken by me. found through google images)
The cownose rays natural predators are the Great Hammerhead and the Bull shark.
(Great Hammerhead)
(Bull Shark)
(shark pictures not taken by me. found through google images)
The cownose ray is not in immediate danger, but they are Near Threatened, due to humans over fishing.
FUN FACTS!
1. The Cownose Ray has a stinger called a "spine" at the base of its tail that they use for self-defense when they feel threatened. This "spine" actually has teeth lining the sides which are coated with a light venom whose sting effect is about that of a wasp sting.
2. These species are known for traveling in LARGE groups called schools. Cownose ray schools have been known to reach 10,000.
(picture not taken by me. google images)
3. Rays are closely related to sharks and skates. They're like cousins!
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