Cownose Rays (Rhinopteridae)
Cownose rays (family Rhinopteridae) are marine rays with a distinctive bilobed head, found in warm-temperate and tropical coastal waters worldwide, inhabiting continental shelves, estuaries, lagoons and shallow bays. Cownose rays have broad, wing-like pectoral discs and a long whip-like tail armed with a venomous spine. They are distinguished by the central indentation of the pectoral disc, which forms two rounded lobes at the front of the head, giving them the appearance of a cow’s nose.
Cownose rays are powerful, active swimmers that frequently travel in schools and often swim well above the seabed. Their broad pectoral fins provide efficient propulsion, allowing many species to undertake seasonal movements over considerable distances. Although equipped with a venomous spine near the base of the tail, they are generally not aggressive and are less likely to be stepped on than bottom-resting stingrays.
Cownose rays feed mainly on hard-shelled molluscs and crustaceans. Their broad, plate-like teeth are tightly packed into powerful crushing plates capable of breaking the shells of oysters, clams, mussels and crabs. Like other rays, they are viviparous, giving birth to well-developed live young after the embryos develop inside the mother.
The family Rhinopteridae contains a single genus, Rhinoptera, with about 10 recognised species.
Cownose rays are powerful, active swimmers that frequently travel in schools and often swim well above the seabed. Their broad pectoral fins provide efficient propulsion, allowing many species to undertake seasonal movements over considerable distances. Although equipped with a venomous spine near the base of the tail, they are generally not aggressive and are less likely to be stepped on than bottom-resting stingrays.
Cownose rays feed mainly on hard-shelled molluscs and crustaceans. Their broad, plate-like teeth are tightly packed into powerful crushing plates capable of breaking the shells of oysters, clams, mussels and crabs. Like other rays, they are viviparous, giving birth to well-developed live young after the embryos develop inside the mother.
The family Rhinopteridae contains a single genus, Rhinoptera, with about 10 recognised species.
Scientific Name: Rhinoptera javanica Müller & Henle, 1841
English Name: Javanese Cownose Ray, Flapnose Ray
Chinese Name | 鱼类中文名: 魟鱼 (Hōng yú), 魔鬼鱼 (Móguǐ yú)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Pari Pari Kelawar Jawa, Pari Susun
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลากระเบนจมูกวัว (Plāk ra ben cmūkwạw)
Main Identification Features: Double-lobed snout and indented forehead. Broad rhomboid disc with pointed wing tips. Jaws usually with seven rows of plate-like teeth.
Size: Maximum 150 cm disc width. Born at around 60 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Coastal marine and estuarine waters over sandy or muddy bottoms. Found singly, in small groups or large schools. Feeds mainly on molluscs and crustaceans. Often cruises well above the seabed despite feeding on bottom-dwelling prey.
English Name: Javanese Cownose Ray, Flapnose Ray
Chinese Name | 鱼类中文名: 魟鱼 (Hōng yú), 魔鬼鱼 (Móguǐ yú)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Pari Pari Kelawar Jawa, Pari Susun
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลากระเบนจมูกวัว (Plāk ra ben cmūkwạw)
Main Identification Features: Double-lobed snout and indented forehead. Broad rhomboid disc with pointed wing tips. Jaws usually with seven rows of plate-like teeth.
Size: Maximum 150 cm disc width. Born at around 60 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Coastal marine and estuarine waters over sandy or muddy bottoms. Found singly, in small groups or large schools. Feeds mainly on molluscs and crustaceans. Often cruises well above the seabed despite feeding on bottom-dwelling prey.
