White spotted eagle
rays, Aetobatus narinari, are unmistakable. They have distinct
heads and a duck like beak. They have a diamond shaped body which
is dark with well defined white spots.
They are extremely
graceful swimmers and can leap out of the water.
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They have exceptionally long whip like tails which may be 2 or 3 times the body length over 8m. There is a poisonous spine near the base of the tail.
Although they are usually seen swimming in mid-water they are benthic feeders and can be seen grubbing about in the sediment for food. They have a series of plate like teeth to crush molluscs. They mainly eat bivalves but also octopus and fish
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A rare white (albino ?) eagle ray, sighted at Julian Rocks in September 2007. Eagle rays can often be seen swimming in schools of 6-10 near Tassie II. They frequently school during the breading season.
Copulation is brief and takes place belly to belly, females may mate with up to 4 males over an hour. Live young are born after 12 months with 1- 4 pups per litter. Sharks feed on newborns
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