Facts about Electric Rays

The electric current of electric rays is generated in cells called electrocytes. When an electrocyte is stimulated, a movement of ions (electrically charged atoms) across the cell membrane results in an electric discharge.

Electric rays belong to the superorder Batoidea, which includes stingrays, skates, guitarfishes, and sawfishes. Like their relatives the sharks, batoids have skeletons made of tough connective tissue called cartilage.

Atlantic torpedo ray may reach up to 1.82 m (6 feet) in length.

Usually female rays are larger than males.

Atlantic torpedo rays (Torpedo nobiliana), for example, live along the coastlines of Canada, the United States, United Kingdom, and South Africa. But they also have been found in the open ocean at depths of approximately 450 m (1,475 ft.). Blind electric rays (Typhlonarke aysoni) have been discovered in waters as deep as 900 m (2,950 ft.).

The mouth of the Australian coffin ray (Hypnos monopterygium) is enormous, allowing it to gulp prey half the size of its body.

All living creatures produce electricity - even humans - but electric rays have two special kidney-shaped organs that generate and store electricity like a battery. Large Atlantic torpedo rays can generate enough power to produce a shock of about 220 volts, while smaller rays, like the lesser electric ray (Narcine brasiliensis) can only muster a shock of about 37 volts.

Most electric rays bury themselves under sand during the day and come out at night to feed. If prey is encountered, the ray will stun the creature with electricity. Then, the ray will guide the food with its pectoral fins to its mouth, which is located under its body.

In addition to stunning potential prey and dissuading prospective predators, the electric organs of electric rays may also be used to detect prey and to communicate with each other.

The electric ray's grey colour provides a good cover and makes it very hard to distinguish it from the sandy ocean bottom.

Facts about Electric Rays

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