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Size
4.8 feet (147 cm) -
Diet
Small fish, mollusks, and crustaceans -
Range
Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa to the Marshall Islands, and south to the Northern border of Australia -
Habitat
Sandy bottom areas and small caves, also frequents coral rubble around reefs
Physical Characteristics
Size
- Porcupine ray reaches a maximum length of 4.8 feet (147 cm).
Body Composition
- Has a very thick, tall body with thin wings that complete its oval appearance.
- Skin is armored with strong dermal denticles, varying from flat to pointed and thorn-like.
Color
- Displays countershading, being grey or spotted above and very pale or white ventrally. The tail is slender and lacks any venomous barb.
Animal Fact
The porcupine ray is the only species in the genus Urogymnus.
Diet / Feeding
- Small fish, mollusks, and crustaceans.
Range / Habitat
Range
- Found between the tropics in the Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa to the Marshall Islands, and south to the Northern border of Australia.
Habitat
- Found in sandy bottom areas and small caves, also frequents coral rubble around reefs.
Conservation Status
- “Vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List.
Additional Information
- This is the only species in the genus Urogymnus.
- Rough skin of this ray has been used as leather by many different cultures.
- The ray gets its name from its rough and protruding dermal denticles.
