Name: Thornback ray, maiden ray, roker
Scientific Name: Raja clavata (Linnaeus, 1758)
Family: Rajidae
Group: Sharks, rays and chimaeras
Class: Fish
Size: 51-100 cm.
The thornback ray populates coastal waters in almost all of Europe, from the coastal line up to nearly 300 m deep. Its colouration and numerous spines that cover its back permit it to live perfectly disguised on the sandy and rocky bottoms that it inhabits. It reproduces between the months of winter and spring and every year each female lays about 150 eggs, protected by a strong capsule. After five months, the small rays are born, fully formed and similar to the adults.
Photo by:
Peter Wirtz (www.horta.uac.pt)
Oceanário Location
North Atlantic
