Spotted ray

The spotted ray or spotted skate (Raja montagui) is a species of skate in the family Rajidae.

Distribution
The Spotted ray is found in the Atlantic Ocean from the Irish Sea to Morocco and in the Mediterranean as well.

Description
Like all rays, the spotted ray has a flattened body with broad, wing-like pectoral fins. The body is sub-rhomboid. The dorsum is brown with dark spots.

Its maximum length is 80 cm, making it one of the smallest skates.

Behaviour
The spotted ray buries itself in sand to ambush prey and avoid predators. It mainly feeds on crustaceans, polychaetes, teleosts and molluscs.

Life cycle
Spotted rays are oviparous with eggs laid in summer. The pups hatch fully formed, about 11.5 cm long, after 5 or 6 months.