Cownose Rays are a species of eagle ray found in the Western Atlantic – from New
England to Brazil. They are named for their unique, elongated head that resembles the nose of a
cow.
Cownose Rays are known for their impressive migrations, which take them over
long distances.
They are relatively small, growing to a length of about 3 feet (0.9 meters) and
have a wingspan of up to 4 feet (1.2 meters).
Cownose Rays are primarily carnivorous and feed on a variety of small fish,
crustaceans, and mollusks. They are viviparous – meaning that they give birth to live young rather than laying eggs. Embryos live off of energy obtained from yolk sacs, and then later in their development are nourished by the uterine secretions of their mother. Only after the young are able to survive on their own does the mother give birth to her young. Generally, each female only produces one pup at a time.
Cownose Rays are not considered a threat to humans, but their migrations can
sometimes cause them to come into contact with swimmers and beachgoers. They are sometimes hunted for their meat and for use in products such as shark bait and pet food.
As this ray swims through the ocean, its wingtips often break the surface, resembling the dorsal fin of a shark, which sometimes causes undue alarm for swimmers and divers. Occasionally, it jumps out of the water and lands with a loud smack. This behavior could be a territorial display, or a cownose ray’s way of dislodging parasites.
Some populations of Cownose Rays are at risk of overfishing and habitat loss due
to human activities such as coastal development and pollution.