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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.
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.
