Spotted Eagle Ray (Aetobatus narinari)
Patterned like starlight over sand, the spotted eagle ray moves through the water with measured elegance — wings slicing light, tail trailing shadow. Each glide feels deliberate, a quiet balance between strength and stillness.
Scientific Snapshot
Scientific Name: Aetobatus narinari
Common Names: Spotted eagle ray, bonnet ray
Average Size: Up to 3 meters (10 feet) across; tail up to 5 meters (16 feet) long
Habitat: Warm coastal waters, lagoons, and coral reefs
Diet: Mollusks, crustaceans, and small benthic invertebrates
Conservation Status: Near Threatened (IUCN Red List)
Range: Tropical and subtropical waters worldwide, including the Caribbean, Indo-Pacific, and eastern Atlantic
From the Field
The story…