Kuhl's Mask Ray

Neotrygon kuhlii 

Habitat & Distribution :  Indo-Pacific Ocean 

Diet : Clams, crustaceans, molluscs, fish 

Size : 47 cm 

Lifespan : 10-13 years

Description

The masked ray is a stingray with blue spots and a wide, mask-like body. It closely resembles the blue-spotted ribbontail ray. . 

Behavior

One unique characteristic of Kuhl's maskrays is that they bury themselves in the sand only to hide from predators, unlike most stingrays, which bury themselves regularly to hunt 

Reproduction

This species of ray reproduces via aplacental viviparity with lipid histotrophy, where embryos are nourished by yolk and uterine milk. 

Communication & Perception

This species communicates primarily through visual signaling and specialized sensory detection rather than auditory signals. 

Predator(s)

Hammerhead sharks, bull Sharks, bottlenose dolphins