Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Chondrichthyes
- Order
- Rajiformes
- Family
- Rajidae
- Genus
- Raja
- Species
- asterias
Habitat
Starry rays inhabit the continental shelves of the Northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea, favoring sandy or muddy bottoms in depths from 10 to 200 meters. They prefer areas with mixed substrates and can be found near coasts or in offshore waters with moderate currents.
Diet
Starry rays primarily feed on bottom-dwelling invertebrates such as polychaete worms, crustaceans like crabs and shrimp, and mollusks. They hunt by lying in wait on the seafloor and ambushing prey, often at night when they are most active. Their feeding behavior includes using their pectoral fins to stir up sediment and uncover food.
Behavior
Starry rays are solitary and benthic, spending most of their time resting on the seafloor during the day and becoming more active at night to forage. They exhibit territorial behavior around feeding areas and can bury themselves in sediment for camouflage. Males may display aggressive behaviors during mating seasons.
Conservation Status
Listed as Near Threatened by IUCN.