Cownose Ray

Rays have many adaptations that help them to survive in the sandy bottoms of the sea, and you can see these creatures use their unique bodies during the Ray Feeding. Meet a staff member of SEA LIFE and watch these graceful animals “fly” through the water of the Ray Lagoon. You can also spot these amazing creatures in the Lost City of Atlantis ocean display.

Things to do

Find the Cownose rays, swimming together in the Lost City of Atlantis ocean display
Watch them eat during the Ray Feeding
Learn about why they are under threat
Spot their happy face smiling back at you
Watch our Cownose rays breaching the water surface to look at guests

In the wild, cownose rays can be found in schools of up to 10,000
Rays breathe through special holes behind their eyes
The males have 2 large finger-like stumps, called claspers either side of their tail. These are used to cling to the female. Claspers are completely absent in the females
The barb on a cow nose ray is poisonous, however they are shy and not aggressive and only use the barb if threatened
Rays will sometimes jump out of the water; scientists think this is to show other rays their territory

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