Reproduction
During the mating season, one or more males will often chase a female. They will grab her body with their mouths. One male will then grab the edge of her pectoral fin and flip her upside down. He will then insert a clasper into the female. Some females have been recorded to mate with up to 4 males over a short period of time. The mating process takes up to 30-90 seconds.
The eggs develop and hatch inside the mother. After hatching from the eggs the embryos feed from a yolk sack until live birth. Up to 4 pups can be born in each litter.
The eggs develop and hatch inside the mother. After hatching from the eggs the embryos feed from a yolk sack until live birth. Up to 4 pups can be born in each litter.
Two eagle rays starting the mating process
Adaptations
The A. narinari has many adaptations that help it to move, stay alive, catch prey and escape from predators.
Some of these adaptations include:
Chevron shaped crushing plates:
These are a structural adaptation that helps the Eagle ray crush the shells of shellfish to get to the flesh inside.
Barbed Spines
Another structural adaptation that is a last resort to defend itself from predator. They are large, venomous barbs that can be fatal to humans.
Digging for food
The eagle rays have developed the behavioural adaptation of digging in the sand for food. This is an easy way for them to eat rather than chasing fish and using up energy.
Snout
The snout of the eagle ray is a structural adaptation that helps with the behavioural adaptation of digging in the sand for food. It resembles a duck bill, its pointy shape is perfect for scooping sand.
Flat Body
This structural adaptation helps the eagle ray to swim fast along the ocean floor while looking for prey.
Location of eyes and spiracles
The eagle ray spends a lot of time buried in the sand. Their eyes and spiracles (Gills) are located on the top of their head, this helps them see and breathe easily while they are half buried in the sand.
Some of these adaptations include:
Chevron shaped crushing plates:
These are a structural adaptation that helps the Eagle ray crush the shells of shellfish to get to the flesh inside.
Barbed Spines
Another structural adaptation that is a last resort to defend itself from predator. They are large, venomous barbs that can be fatal to humans.
Digging for food
The eagle rays have developed the behavioural adaptation of digging in the sand for food. This is an easy way for them to eat rather than chasing fish and using up energy.
Snout
The snout of the eagle ray is a structural adaptation that helps with the behavioural adaptation of digging in the sand for food. It resembles a duck bill, its pointy shape is perfect for scooping sand.
Flat Body
This structural adaptation helps the eagle ray to swim fast along the ocean floor while looking for prey.
Location of eyes and spiracles
The eagle ray spends a lot of time buried in the sand. Their eyes and spiracles (Gills) are located on the top of their head, this helps them see and breathe easily while they are half buried in the sand.