Marine Life & Conservation
Creature Feature: Cownose Ray
In this series, the Shark Trust will be sharing amazing facts about different species of sharks and what you can do to help protect them.
This month we’re showing off one of the lesser-known rays: the Cownose Ray, so-called due to the two lobes on the top of their head. When viewed from above, these lobes resemble a cow’s nose.
The Cownose Ray is a species of eagle ray (which also includes the Bull Ray, Banded Eagle Ray and others). They are often mistaken for sharks from the beach, due to the tips of their fins sticking out of the water (resembling the dorsal fin of a shark).
Typically, brown-backed, with a whitish or yellowish belly, it’s the Cownose Ray’s shape that is the key identifier; with its broad head, wide-set eyes, and pair of lobes on its subrostral (in front of the “face”) fin.
They typically feed on clams, oysters and other invertebrates. Preferring to feed in early morning or late afternoon, when waves are calm, and visibility is good. They uncover their prey by stirring up the sand and sediment with their wings. Once located, Cownose Rays can create a vacuum with their mouths to suck up their prey from the seabed. They have a set of concrete-like dental plates which are perfect for crushing shells . In addition to their strong mouths, the Cownose Ray also have a few defensive abilities too. They are stingrays and have a barb on the base of their tails to defend themselves, which produces a toxin that injures the aggressor.
Photo by David Clode on Unsplash
Social creatures, they typically swim in groups. They also migrate extremely long distances, often in schools of up to 10,000. Their migration is from the Gulf of Mexico to Trinidad, Venezuela and Brazil. Atlantic migration consists of the rays moving north in late spring and moving south in late autumn. Even though scientists can track their migration well (even from airplanes as the schools can be seen from the sky!), the reason for their migration is still a mystery. It’s unknown if it’s due to feeding or a pre-mating activity
They reach sexual maturity at 6 to 7 years and can live up to ~21 years. Females give birth to live young, following a11-12 months gestation period.
They are listed as Vulnerable, due to extensive overfishing – mainly in the Caribbean. Whilst the meat from Cownose Rays is not in-demand and thus they are not targeted by largescale operations. They are overfished in the Caribbean and along the Venezuelan coast – with declines in the population of up to 49% in the last 43 years.
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Rhinoptera bonasus
- FAMILY: Rhinopteridae
- MAXIMUM SIZE: ~110 cm wide
- DIET: Clams, oysters, hard clams, crustaceans and other invertebrates
- DISTRIBUTION: Western Atlantic from southern New England to northern Florida (USA) and throughout the Gulf of Mexico, migrating to Trinidad, Venezuela, and Brazil.
- HABITAT: Brackish and marine habitats, usually in shallow waters but have been found up to a depth of 60 m.
- CONSERVATION STATUS: Vulnerable
Cownose Ray Activity BundleDiscover more with the Cownose Ray Activity Bundle. Brought to you by award-winning outdoor education provider – The Great Out-Tours. Created for children and adults in care homes, these bundles of fun will provide hours of entertainment. Wordsearches, jigsaws, arts and crafts, educational videos, a family quiz and so much more. All jammed packed into this bundle for just £1, with 15p going to the Shark Trust! |
For more amazing facts about sharks and what you can do to help the Shark Trust protect them visit the Shark Trust website by clicking here.
Header Image: David Clode on Unsplash
After a two-year tour of UK art galleries, community spaces and aquariums, the Shark Trust’s acclaimed Oceanic31 exhibition takes its final bow at the Royal Geographical Society later this month. And the unique collection of artwork, depicting 31 species of oceanic sharks and rays, donated by 31 artists, is now open for bids from art lovers and shark enthusiasts. The online auction, launched today, will close on the 7th December at 8pm (BST). The money raised will support the Shark Trust Oceanics Programme.
People can now bid on 27 of the artworks by visiting this website:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
It is a chance to own a beautiful piece of original art and to support the Shark Trust. The timing of the auction also means that these would make a very special Christmas gift for any shark-lover.
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- Bigeye Thresher Shark by Janina Rossiter
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- Carcharodon carcharias by Jimmy Higgs
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- Croc VR 2030 by Tom Mead
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- Oceanic Whitetip by ATM
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- Silky Street by ScapaJoe
The diversity of pieces mirrors that of the sharks and rays they represent. You can bid on paintings, digital creations, sculptures, mixed media and more. You can pick your favourite artist or species of shark. Or you can select the perfect artwork to make a statement in your home or office. Whichever you choose, you will be supporting the work to protect these amazing animals.
One of the pieces of art has been selected to be auctioned live by Steve Backshall at the For the Love of Sharks event at the Royal Geographical Society in London on the 29th November. In addition to this, two further pieces will be raffled at this event, giving people a chance to win an incredible piece of shark art. For the Love of Sharks is the Shark Trust’s flagship evening. A night to celebrate sharks. Steve Backshall is the headline speaker at this event that will see other prominent shark advocates join him on stage.
Tickets for the event can be snapped up here:
https://thesharktrust.org.uk/Event/flos24
Those that would like to see the Oceanic 31 exhibition have one final chance. It is being displayed at the Pavilion at the Royal Geographic Society from 26th November until the 7th December. Entry is free.
Find out more here:
https://www.rgs.org/events/upcoming-events/oceanic-31
Paul Cox, Shark Trust CEO, Said “This exhibition has given us the opportunity to reach out to a new audience. And inspire more people with the wonderful sharks and rays on which our Big Shark Pledge campaign is based. We are immensely grateful to the 31 artists who have worked so hard to create these works.”
Bid for your favourite Oceanic 31 artwork here:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
Banner Image: Smooth Hammerhead by Alicia Hayden
Until 28 November, prizes worth a massive £10,000 – including experiences, products and tuition – feature in a line-up of items that can be won for £5 in an online prize draw to celebrate Bite-Back Shark & Marine Conservation’s 20th anniversary and help generate crucial funds for the future.
Top of the list of prizes is the chance to spend time with adventurer and wildlife expert Steve Backshall, a workout session with Nat Geo star Aldo Kane, a kayaking trip alongside white-water expert and diver Sal Montgomery and a Zoom call with ‘shark whisperer’ Cristina Zenato.
On top of that, some of the most admired companies in the diving and scuba industry have been quick to support the charity with fabulous prizes that make the £5 ticket price worth more than just a flutter.
Master Liveaboards, BSAC, Midlands Diving Chamber, Go Freediving and Blue Shark Snorkel have all generously donated experience prizes, while celebrated photographer Alex Mustard has donated a print and artists Scott Gleed and Olivier Leger have donated a sculpture and illustration to help boost the fundraising pot.
Fourth Element has donated Ocean Positive gear and LA watch company Nodus has gifted the charity a stunning dive watch. For land lovers, the charity has included a five star London hotel stay at Bankside Hotel plus a family visit to Longleat Safari Park in the roster of prizes.
Campaign director for Bite-Back, Graham Buckingham, said: “We’ve been overwhelmed with support from companies and individuals that we truly admire and who have supported us on our 20 year journey and we’re truly grateful to them all. While we feel incredibly proud of our achievements over the past two decades – and we are super excited about the next chapter – this prize draw isn’t a vanity project. It represents a real lifeline to our work and important advancements in the global protection of sharks. So we hope divers, dive clubs and even bargain hunters grab some tickets to make this a massive success.”
The charity hopes that the prize draw will generate crucial funds to launch a brand new, ground-breaking, campaign to enrol the public and increase support for the protection of sharks around the world.
To enter the competition visit www.bite-back.com/prizedraw. The prize winners will be announced on 1 December 2024.
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