spotted skate

As with other skates of the genus Raja, the head, trunk, and pectoral fins are fused. The entire body is flattened, the snout is pointed, and the mouth is located on the underside.

The upper body is brownish, covered with small dark spots. In most individuals, a significant concentration of these markings forms a ring on the posterior part of each pectoral fin. The underside of the body is white.

A row of spines runs from the nape to the first dorsal fin. In young individuals, the upper surface is smooth. It becomes spiny in larger specimens, except for the central area of the pectoral fins.

This skate spends most of its time buried in soft sediments. By doing so, it avoids predation and can surprise its potential prey.

Juveniles live in shallow sandy coastal areas. They tend to follow large objects that they may mistake for their mother. Adults primarily feed on crustaceans but can also capture worms, cephalopods, and small fish.

In addition to its camouflage abilities, this skate can detect weak electric fields generated by other organisms and produce its own fields.

This oviparous species forms a couple to reproduce. Eggs are laid in the summer in the form of elongated capsules protected by sharp rigid horns. They are deposited in sandy or muddy bottoms.

These capsules measure between 5 and 7 cm in length, and 3 to 5 cm in width. They are protected by a keratin envelope. After 5 to 6 months of incubation, the juveniles hatch fully formed and already measure about a dozen centimeters.