Plane Tails / Aquatic Animals /

Pearl the Spotted Eagle Ray

Meet Pearl the Spotted Eagle Ray! With an impressive wingspan reaching nearly 11 feet and weighing up to 500 pounds, the Spotted Eagle Ray proudly claims its spot as the second-largest ray species in the ocean. Spotted Eagle Rays are found in coral reefs of tropical and temperate warm waters from the Gulf of Mexico to the eastern Atlantic and Indo-Pacific. These rays are adorned with distinctive spots and unique markings, just as their name suggests. Pearl derives her name from these charming round, off-white markings that resemble pearls. Spotted Eagle Rays also sport long tails with venomous barbs, a natural defense mechanism against potential threats like sharks. However, these rays pose no danger to humans unless provoked or startled. Spotted Eagle Rays are graceful swimmers who prefer to remain in constant motion. As formidable predators, they hunt for various invertebrates and fish in their underwater realm. Unfortunately, these magnificent creatures are considered vulnerable due to their low reproductive potential, which makes them rare and precious in our oceans.

Endangered Animals Initiative

Frontier is dedicated to bringing awareness to the endangered animals within the continental U.S.A. You can learn more about our endangered animal tails here.