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Size
4.8 feet (1.5 m) -
Diet
Small fish, mollusks and crustaceans -
Range
Indo-Pacific -
Habitat
Estuaries and shallow brackish water areas
Physical Characteristics
- Reaches a maximum length of 4.8 feet (1.5 m).
- Has a very thick, tall body with thin wings that complete its oval appearance.
- Displays countershading, being grey or spotted above and very pale or white ventrally. The tail is thick and lacks any venomous barb.
- Skin is armored with strong dermal denticles, varying from flat to pointed and thorn-like.
Animal Fun Fact
The porcupine ray is the only species in the genus Urogymnus.
Diet / Feeding
- Small fish, mollusks, and crustaceans.
Range / Habitat
- 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.
- Typically found in estuaries and shallow brackish water areas.
Reproduction & Growth
- Ovoviviparous; eggs hatch internally and are born as live young.
Conservation Status
- “Endangered” on the IUCN Red List.
Additional Information
- This ray gets its name from its rough and protruding dermal denticles.
- This is the only species in the genus Urogymnus. Which is under taxonomic review.
- Rough skin of this ray has been used as leather called, “shagreen” by many different cultures. Historically used for weaponry.
Sources
- www.fishbase.org
- www.IUCNredlist.org
- www.flmnh.ufl.edu
- https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/82261-Urogymnus-asperrimus
