Closely related to sharks, rays also have a soft cartilage skeleton. Their grossly oversized pectoral fins give them their distinct diamond shape and act a bit like underwater wings. Thornback rays are found around all British coasts and feed mainly on crustaceans though they are not above taking any fish that swims a little too close! The thornback ray likes to bury itself in the sediment during the day and come out at dusk to hunt.
How to identify
With a distinctive kite shaped body, the thornback ray can also be recognised by its blotchy brown or grey back and collection of 'thorns' on its back and tail. Some other ray species also have thorns but the thornback ray has the biggest.
Did you know?
Although their jaws are small they are extremely powerful, allowing them to crush through the shells of crabs and other crustaceans with ease.
