Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Chondrichthyes
- Order
- Carcharhiniformes
- Family
- Aetobatidae
- Genus
- Myliobatis
- Species
- aquila
Habitat
Common eagle rays inhabit coastal waters, estuaries, and continental shelves in the Northeast Atlantic, Mediterranean Sea, and Southeast Atlantic. They prefer sandy or muddy bottoms at depths up to 100 meters, often near rocky areas or reefs. These regions provide ample food and protection from predators.
Diet
Common eagle rays primarily feed on bottom-dwelling invertebrates such as mollusks, crustaceans, and polychaete worms. They use their strong, plate-like teeth to crush shells and dig in the sand for prey, typically foraging during daylight hours. Feeding behavior is opportunistic, taking advantage of abundant seafloor resources.
Behavior
Common eagle rays are generally solitary or form loose groups, often seen swimming near the ocean floor during the day. They exhibit migratory patterns in response to seasonal changes and water temperatures, and are known to leap out of the water, possibly to evade predators or communicate. They can be territorial around feeding areas but are not highly aggressive.
Conservation Status
Listed as Data Deficient by IUCN.