Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Chondrichthyes
- Order
- Carcharhiniformes
- Family
- Aetobatidae
- Genus
- Aetobatus
- Species
- flagellum
Habitat
This species inhabits shallow coastal waters, estuaries, and coral reefs in the Indo-Pacific region, often over sandy or muddy substrates. It prefers warm tropical and subtropical seas, ranging from the Red Sea and East Africa to the Western Pacific, including areas around Japan and Indonesia. They are commonly found at depths of 10 to 50 meters.
Diet
The longheaded eagle ray primarily feeds on mollusks, crustaceans, and small benthic fish by using its elongated snout to probe and excavate the seafloor. It employs a feeding behavior of flapping its fins to stir up sediment, revealing prey, and is most active during daylight hours. This bottom-feeding strategy helps it access hard-shelled prey like clams and crabs.
Behavior
Longheaded eagle rays are typically solitary or form loose groups, often seen swimming near the bottom during the day and resting at night. They exhibit agile swimming patterns and occasional leaping out of the water, possibly to evade predators or remove parasites. These rays are not highly territorial but may defend feeding areas if disturbed.
Conservation Status
Listed as Endangered by IUCN.