Spotted eagle ray
Aetobatus narinari
Sighting evidence at Anses d'Arlet, Martinique
Photo: michel candel · CC BY-NC-SA
Spotted eagle rays cruise the sandy channels between coral heads at Anses d'Arlet in small groups, using their distinctive flat rostrum to excavate clams, conch, and other buried molluscs. Their spotted white-on-black dorsal patterning is individual-specific, allowing researchers to track movements between sites. Despite their size — wingspans commonly reach 2 metres — they are graceful and fast, often seen leaping completely clear of the water surface in behaviour that may relate to courtship, parasite removal, or communication.
Evidence at this site
No confirmed records on file at this site
Spotted eagle ray is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.