Family: Myliobatidae, Eagle Rays view all from this family

Description To 3' (91 m) wide. Disc about 1.7 times wider than long; front edges nearly straight, posterior edges of disc concave, outer corners falcate. Brownish above, whitish or yellowish-white below. Front of head moderately concave; subrostral fin deeply notched in middle, forming 2 lobes joined at base; head and subrostral lobes form shape resembling cow's nose. Tooth plates, usually of 7 series of teeth, in each jaw. Tail spine immediately behind dorsal fin; skin smooth.

Warning These rays have venomous tail spines that make them potentially dangerous.

Habitat Primarily bottom of shallow bays and inshore shelf.

Range From New England to Brazil; Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico.

Discussion Cownose Rays feed primarily on hard-shelled mollusks that they crush with their powerful tooth plates. They sometimes occur in schools in bays during the summer and disappear in the winter.