Bat ray (Myliobatis californica) is a saltwater species recorded in the United States. It is mainly found over rocky, sand, mud, estuary, at depths of ≤ 46 m.
Scientific name: Myliobatis californica · Water: Saltwater
Size: up to 180 cm
Weight: up to 91 kg
The bat ray (Myliobatis californica) is an eagle ray with a diamond-shaped, ray-like form made up of wing-like pectoral fins ending in blunt points, a broad head raised higher than the fins, and cephalic horns that it uses to push food into its mouth. It occurs in tropical and temperate waters from central Oregon to the Gulf of California and is found in muddy or sandy sloughs, estuaries and bays, kelp beds and along rocky shoreline, typically in flat sections of water with sand patches between rocks, from the surface down to about 150 ft with most fish concentrated between 8 and 100 ft. Females give birth to litters of two to ten pups, each emerging tail first, and the venomous spine is sheathed at birth; the species is common in the shallow waters of the Santa Rosa area in March and April and around Anacapa Island in summer. In the United States it is a favourite southern California shore and pier target and a powerful, hard-fighting catch on heavy tackle with squid, mackerel or clam baits fished on the bottom, reaching a wingspan of 1.8 m and a mass of 91 kg, with one record of 240 pounds.
Caution: has venomous spines. Take great care when unhooking and handling; the sting is extremely painful.
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