What does the electric ray eat?

What does the electric ray eat?

Depending on the species, electric rays may eat fishes, worms, and crustaceans. Adult Atlantic rays consume eels, flounders, and small sharks.

Are electric rays aggressive?

Muscle tissues in two kidney-shaped glands on either side of a ray’s head can produce currents of up to 45 volts — an electrical shock strong enough to knock down an adult. These glands weigh one-sixth of the ray’s total weight. Even though electric rays can be aggressive, there’s no record of them harming humans.

Where do electric stingrays live?

Marbled electric rays are commonly found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean bordering Africa up to Norway, as well as parts of the Mediterranean Sea. In rocky reefs and seagrass beds, the marbled electric ray buries itself in muddy bottoms during the daylight hours.

Where did the torpedo ray get its name?

Its genus name, Torpedo, comes from the Latin word ‘torpidus’ meaning numbness in reference to the effect of the electric organ. Other combinations such as Tetronarce nobiliana, Narcacion nobiliana, and Narcobatus nobiliana are considered invalid.

Is there an electric Stingray?

Electric Stingrays have an ability where they can create an electric discharge for defense. The voltage ranges from specie to specie, but the range is anywhere from 8 volts up to 220 volts. There are 69 species that make up 4 families of this type of stingray.

How long do electric rays live?

This species of ray have been found up to 90 lbs. (4 kg) in weight. The average life span for this ray is at least 16 years and possibly up to 24 years. Pacific electric rays feed mainly on fish, including halibut, mackerel, flatfish, kelp bass, anchovies, hake, and herring.

Do electric rays live in saltwater?

Electric rays are found from shallow coastal waters down to at least 1,000 m (3,300 ft) deep. They are sluggish and slow-moving, propelling themselves with their tails, not by using their pectoral fins as other rays do. They feed on invertebrates and small fish.

What is the class of electric ray?

Cartilaginous fishes
Electric ray/Class

Where can electric rays be found?

They are found worldwide in warm and temperate waters. There are numerous species of electric ray; most inhabit shallow water, but some (Benthobatis) live at depths of 1,000 m (3,300 feet) and more. Slow-moving bottom dwellers, electric rays feed on fishes and invertebrates.

How do electric rays work?

Rays produce electricity through modified muscle cells called electrocytes. Like a row of batteries, stimulated electrocytes move electrically charged atoms (ions) across the cell membrane, creating a combined electric discharge.

What is another name for an electric ray?

Electric ray, also called torpedo, torpedo fish, numbfish, or crampfish, any of the rays of the families Torpedinidae, Narkidae, Narcinidae, and Hypnidae, named for their ability to produce electrical shocks. They are found worldwide in warm and temperate waters.

What kind of ray is Pacific Electric Ray?

The Pacific electric ray is one of 14 described species of electric rays, but is the only species limited to the west coast of the US. The species was first described as Torpedo californica by Ayres in 1855, but was later placed in the genus Tetronarce by Gill in 1861.

What kind of food does an electric ray eat?

Female: In general, female rays are larger than males. Depending on the species, electric rays may eat fishes, worms, and crustaceans. Adult Atlantic rays consume eels, flounders, and small sharks. Ovoviviparous (“egg live birth”); Atlantic torpedo rays have a 12 month gestation period.

How often does a Pacific Electric Ray produce pups?

Reproduction is aplacental viviparous, meaning that the embryos are initially nourished by yolk, later supplemented by histotroph (“uterine milk”) produced by the mother. Females bear litters of 17–20 pups, probably once every other year.

What kind of predator is the Pacific Electric Ray?

During the day, the Pacific electric ray is an ambush predator: when a fish approaches its head, the ray “jumps” forward from its resting place and folds down its disc to envelop it, while delivering strong shocks. Once the fish is subdued, the ray repositions itself to swallow it head-first.