Bull Ray

Pteromylaeus bovinus

Today's animal, the Bull Ray, is a very large Stingray that has a wide distribution. They live in the coastal waters of the Mediterranean, and along the Atlantic and Indian coasts of the African Continent.

These Rays have very flat, rounded snouts that kind of look like duckbills. In fact, in some parts of the world they are also called "Duckbill Rays." Including their tails, they can reach anywhere from 5-8ft in length, and can weigh well over 200lbs. Females are actually larger and heavier than the males, and the size different even extends to the size of their tale spine. It can grow up to 3in in females, but only half that in males.

Bull Rays are usually found in small groups. They live in coastal areas because they feed off of the small bottom-dwelling mollusks and crustaceans that are found there. These Rays also happen to be ovoviviparous, meaning they incubate their eggs internally and give birth to live young.

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IUCN Status : Data Deficient
Location : Atlantic, Indian Oceans
Size : Length up to 8ft (2.4m), Weight up to 220lbs (99kg)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Chondrichthyes -- Order : Myliobatiformes
Family : Myliobatidae -- Genus : Pteromylaeus -- Species : P. bovinus

Image : Fotonatura