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Rays are aquatic
fish that have cartilage.
Batoidea is a superorder
of cartilaginous
fish commonly known
as rays and skates,
containing more
than 500 described
species in thirteen
families. Rays have
a boneless skeleton
made of a tough,
elastic substance.
With more than
500 species, rays
come in a variety
of shapes, sizes,
and color. Rays
have a wide variety
of habitats, diets,
and even varied
methods of reproduction.
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Rays
Classification:
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Chondrichthyes
Superorder:
Batoidea
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Size: The
Manta Ray is the
largest species
of the rays. The
largest Manta Ray
ever found had a
wing span of 25
feet across! The
smallest ray is
the Short-nose Electric
Ray. The Short-nose
Electric Ray is
4 inches across
and weighs only
1 lb.
Habitat:
Most ray species
live on the sea
floor, in a variety
of geographical
regions. The majority
of rays are found
in coastal waters,
few live in deep
waters.
Rays
in Other
Languages:
Croatian:
Raza
Dutch:
Rog
Finnish:
Rausku
French:
raie
German:
Rochen
Hungarian:
Raja
Italian:
Razza
Latvian:
Raja
Polish:
Plaszczka
Portuguese:
Arraia /
Raia
Spanish:
Raya
Swedish:
Rocka
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Diet: Ray
species have varied
diets, but all ray
species are carnivores.
Rays eat fish, crustaceans,
mollusks, and worms.
Rays mostly hunt
on or near the bottom
of the ocean.
Description:
Rays have a
flattened body shape
and an elongated
tail. Many rays
have spines on their
tail which can poison
other animals when
stung. Some rays
have long, whip-like
tails, other species
have short tails.
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Life Span:
The life span
of rays varies
from species
to species.
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Did
You
Know?
Rays
have
no
bones,
only
cartilage.
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Athleticism:
Rays are propelled
through the water
with their powerful,
wing-like pectoral
fins which ripple
and flap.
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