Rays and Sawfish

Sawfish live in shallow waters around river mouths and freshwater systems, moving between freshwater and saltwater. They are related to sharks and stingrays, and can grow to over 6 metres in length! These distinctive animals have a long saw-like extension called a rostrum. Sawfish use their rostrum to find prey as their eyesight is poor. The sharply-toothed saw is swung at prey, stunning or killing small fish and prawns which it then devours.

The Spotted Eagle ray can be found worldwide in mostly tropical but occasionally subtropical waters. Eagle rays flap their fins as they manoeuvre across the ocean, and appear to ‘fly’ across the water, thus their name. Other ray species, such as smooth stingrays, move their whole bodies in a wave motion. The White-Spotted Eagle ray can grow up to 8.8 metres in length including the tail and up to 3.5 metres wide. They are easily recognised by the distinct white spots on the top side of the body.

With its large flat body and wing span of at least two metres, Smooth Stingrays are the largest of all stingrays! A distinctive feature of any stingray is its long, serrated stinging barb or spine. The Smooth Stingray’s barb is found on the top of its short tail and is used as a defensive weapon. It has a habit of resting with the barb facing upwards, like a scorpion’s tail, as a warning to predators. Smooth Stingrays are actually very docile creatures that are rarely aggressive unless they feel vulnerable.