Cownose Ray

The Cownose Ray is the one and only species in the family Rhinopteridae. Cownose rays can be found in the western Atlantic waters and Caribbean. The Cownose ray gets its name from the unique way they look. Their nose is squared and indented, resembling a cow’s nose. They have a body that is shaped like a kite, with wingspans up to 3 feet! This species weighs just about 50 lbs. (not as big as the ray from yesterday!). This creature tends to swim in schools made up of different sexes and ages. They swim by flapping their fins like a bird through the water, ever so slightly touching the surface. Some mistake that as a shark fin when they do this. The cownose ray does in fact have a venomous spine on their whip-like tail. As opportunistic feeders, the cownose will eat whatever is available. By flapping their fins on the sandy bottom, they will find mollusks to feed on. The way this species reproduces is very interesting. Every year, the cownose ray will travel to Chesapeake Bay in May and will reproduce from June to July (yes you can see them there in the Bay if you go). The males will leave the females and swim offshores while the females stay behind until October. After 11 months of pregnancy, the following summer in June, the female rays will give live birth to one pup. Right after birth, they will then mate and repeat the cycle for the next generation.

#cownoseray #educate #themoreyouknow #marinezoologist #marinelife #oceancreatures #animalfacts #animals #animallover #sealife #seaanimals #ocean #marineconservation #keeptheseaplasticfree #wildlifeseekers #wildlifeconservation #savetheocean #savetheplanet #marinebiology #oceanography #zoology #blackzoologist #tarimahthezoologist

🐬🐋🦈🐡🐙🐧🦦🐠🦑