Ray
Eagle Ray
Myliobatis aquila
A graceful, diamond-winged ray that glides over sand flats and reefs along the southern and eastern Cape coast.
Also known as bull ray, common eagle ray, eagle, spotless eagle ray
- Typical size
- Commonly to about 1.2 m across the wings
- Habitat
- Sand flats, bays and reef edges
- Depth
- Shallows to about 100 m
The common eagle ray has broad, pointed wings, a distinct raised head and a long, whip-like tail carrying a venomous spine near its base. It is plain brown to grey-olive above and pale below, with a smooth, kite-shaped disc built for soaring flight through the water.
It cruises over sand flats, reef edges and bays along the South African coast, using its flattened tooth plates to crush crabs, molluscs and other shelled prey it digs from the bottom. Generally shy, it flees when approached, but divers should give the tail spine a wide berth and never corner one.