ROUGH SKATE (Raja
nasuta)
Have
a brownish upper surface with darker and lighter spots. This
colouration may change with the colour of the seafloor which
they are inhabiting at the time.
|
They have rough skin and three rows of thorns along their
tail. They can attain a length of at least 1m. Rough skate
are common throughout New Zealand and occur out to depths
of around 200m on sandy and muddy areas of seafloor. |
 |
They feed predominantly on crustaceans and shellfish but may
also prey on fish.
Did
you know?
Skates are cartilaginous fish (elasmobranchs) and are consequently
related to the sharks and rays. As with all skates, the female
lays a horny egg case in which the embryo develops. The males
are identifiable by the long claspers (which are used for mating)
which trail at either side of the tail.
SHORT-TAIL
STINGRAY (Dasyatis brevicaudatis)
Synonymy:Whai, Black ray
This
species of stingray is found not only around New Zealand but
also around Australia and South Africa. The body disc averages
1m in width but can measure up to 2m and its spine (located
halfway along the tail) can be up to 30cm long.
| Stingrays
are not generally aggressive despite their fearsome reputation.
They feed on crabs and shellfish dug from the seafloor,
the shells of which are crushed by the ray’s flat
plate-like teeth. |
 |
The young are born alive, and measure about 50cm long and 15cm
across.
Did
you know?
The ray’s wings are modified pectoral fins ie. the fins
that normally protrude out sideways from behind a fish’s
head.
EAGLE
RAY (Myliobatis tenuicaudatus)
Synonymy: Whai repo
One
species of eagle ray occurs in New Zealand waters, where they
are more abundant north of Cook Strait. They swim by flapping
their wings vertically like a bird, unlike stingrays which swim
with an undulating wave moving along their wings.
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Their teeth take the form of crushing plates, which they
use to break open shellfish and crabs. They can jet water
into the mud/sand underneath them to uncover food. This
process leaves hollows in the substrate which are commonly
seen when the tide is out in coastal lagoons and estuaries. |
 |
Did
you know?
If accidentally caught when fishing, eagle rays can be safely
handled by their front, unlike stingrays which can swing their
spine right forward to injure any potential rescuer.
