Fauna
Fish · GBIF taxon 2419300

Bat Ray

Myliobatis californica

Also known as California Bat Ray, Bull Ray

Bat rays glide gracefully through coastal waters using powerful, wing-like pectoral fins that resemble bat wings in motion. They actively churn up sandy sea floors with their broad snouts to excavate buried clams, crabs, and worms, crushing hard shells with heavy pavement-like tooth plates. Solitary or gathering in large aggregations in warm bays, these gentle bottom-dwellers play a vital role in turning over sediment and maintaining estuarine ecosystems.

MarineVenomousBottom Feeder
Bat Ray reference1 / 7
Licensed reference(c) Lisa Biasillo, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Clams
  • Crabs
  • Polychaete Worms
Predators
  • Broadnose Sevengill Shark
  • Great White Shark
  • California Sea Lion
ThreatsAccidental bycatch in fisheries, estuarine habitat loss
HabitatsShallow bays, estuaries, kelp forests, sandy ocean floors
Life span20–24 years
Classification
  1. FamilyMyliobatidae
  2. SpeciesMyliobatis californica
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskVery high
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is very high
Possesses a barbed venomous spine at the tail base, shuffle feet in shallow water to avoid stepping on buried rays.
Why it is dangerous
Defends itself with a sharp, venomous spine at the base of its whip-like tail that inflicts painful puncture wounds.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for a dark brown to black diamond-shaped disc with a distinct raised head and broad wing-like fins.
What to do
Never handle or step on a ray, shuffle feet when wading, and seek immediate warm-water soak and medical attention if stung.
Responsible observation
  • Stingray Shuffle: Drag your feet along the sand when wading in warm bays to alert resting rays and prevent stepping on them.
  • Observe Excavations: Watch for large depressions in sandy shallows, which signal where rays recently dug for buried shellfish.
  • Respectful Distance: Avoid crowding or cornering free-swimming rays in shallow water.
Related species
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