Sharks & Rays
Thorny Skate
Amblyraja radiata
Also known as
Thorny back, thornback, maiden ray, starry ray, starry skate
Distribution
North Atlantic; Northwest Atlantic from Greenland and Hudson Bay South Carolina
Ecosystem/Habitat
Soft bottoms
Feeding Habits
Active predator
Conservation Status
Special concern/data deficient
Taxonomy
Order Rajiformes (skates & relatives); Family Rajidae (skates)
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Facebook Twitter Pinterest Google+Skates may look similar to flatfish, but they are actually much more closely related to sharks. Like sharks, a skate’s skeleton is made up of cartilage, which is softer and more flexible than bone. Skates commonly have small spines or modified scales on their bodies, but the thorny skate is aptly named because it is practically covered in these tiny thorny looking spines. They have a row of 10 to 20 large, conspicuous spines that run along their midline down their back and reaching their tail. They also have one large spine in front of and one behind each eye, large spines on each shoulder, and numerous smaller spines on their snout, pectoral fins and tail.
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