What are electric rays?
Q: What are electric rays?
A: Electric rays are a group of flattened cartilaginous fish with enlarged pectoral fins that can produce an electric discharge.
Q: How many species of electric rays are there?
A: There are 69 species of electric rays in four subfamilies.
Q: How do electric rays produce an electric discharge?
A: Electric rays have battery-like electric organs on both sides of their heads, which can make a powerful electric shock.
Q: Why do electric rays produce an electric shock?
A: Electric rays use their electric shock to stun their prey and for their own self defense.
Q: What is the depth range of electric rays?
A: Electric rays are found from shallow coastal waters down to at least 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) depth.
Q: How do electric rays move?
A: Electric rays are sluggish and slow moving, propelling themselves along with their tails, rather than using their disc-shaped bodies, as other rays do.
Q: What do electric rays feed on?
A: Electric rays feed on invertebrates and small fish. They lie in wait for prey below the sand or other substrate, using their electricity to stun and capture it.
