Spotted eagle ray

Photo: Karl Questel · © all rights reserved

Elegant, wing-shaped rays recognised by a white-spotted black dorsum and a long, whip-like tail. They are active swimmers, covering large distances in open water and occasionally forming large feeding groups. They prey on buried molluscs and crustaceans, using their flat, plate-like teeth to crush shells. At Frigate Bay they are most regularly seen between December and May, sweeping along the outer reef in pairs or small groups. Near threatened globally; highly susceptible to bycatch in artisanal fisheries throughout the Caribbean.