Ornate eagle ray facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ornate eagle ray |
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_Baa_Atoll,_Maldives_(2018).jpg) |
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| Photo of a rarely seen ornate eagle ray (Aetomylaeus vespertilio), taken at Landaa Giraavaru, Baa Atoll, Maldives (February 2018). | |
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Aetomylaeus
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vespertilio
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The ornate eagle ray or reticulate eagle ray (Aetomylaeus vespertilio) is a very large and beautiful type of stingray. It belongs to the Myliobatidae family, which includes other eagle rays. This amazing creature is quite rare to see, earning it the nickname 'the unicorn of the sea'!
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Ornate Eagle Ray: The Ocean's Unicorn
What Does the Ornate Eagle Ray Look Like?
The ornate eagle ray is a truly special fish. It's known for its unique and beautiful patterns, which look like a network of dark lines and rings on its back. Imagine a giant kite flying underwater!
These rays can grow very large. Their main body, called the disc, can be up to 240 cm (about 8 feet) wide. They also have an incredibly long tail. If the tail is not broken, the ray can reach a total length of 4 meters (over 13 feet)! Luckily, these rays do not have a stinging spine on their tail, so they are considered harmless to humans.
Where Do These Rays Live?
Ornate eagle rays live in many different places around the world. You might find them along the coasts of countries like Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Mozambique, Palau, Philippines, Seychelles, South Africa, Taiwan, and Thailand. They usually swim in waters up to 110 meters (about 360 feet) deep.
Even though they live in many places, spotting an ornate eagle ray is very rare. Scientists believe their numbers have dropped a lot over the last 45 years. Because of this, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) now lists them as an endangered species. There have been fewer than 60 confirmed sightings of this ray, which is why it's called 'the unicorn of the sea.'
Why Are They Endangered?
Life Cycle and Reproduction
Ornate eagle rays do not have many babies, similar to other rays in their family. This means they have a "low fecundity," which is a fancy way of saying they don't reproduce quickly. A new generation of these rays takes about 15 years to grow up. They can live to be as old as 24 years.
Fishing and Other Dangers
Even though ornate eagle rays were once common, they are now very rare in places like the Gulf of Thailand. The biggest danger they face comes from certain types of fishing. These rays often get caught accidentally in fishing nets that drag along the seafloor, known as "demersal fisheries."
When they are caught, they are usually kept and sold in fish markets. Sadly, there are currently no specific plans or rules in place to protect just the ornate eagle ray.
