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The Southern Eagle Ray

The Southern Eagle Ray is also referred to as the Southern Bat Ray. The Latin name for the southern eagle ray is Myliobatis australis and it is part of the Myliobatidiale family. The Southern Eagle Ray can be identified by the pectoral fins that are pointed and narrow and the subrostral lobe or beak that is rounded and short. Another key characteristic of the Southern Bat Ray is the dorsum brown color with blotches that are pale blue.

The normal wing span on this species of rays is between 100 and 200 centimeters. Normally, the Southern Eagle Ray resides in habitats such as sand flats where they feed, coral reef and rocky faces as well as bays. The species is in its abundance in Australia and New Zealand. Most of the time, these species can be found resting in sand that is located in excavated depressions. The Southern Eagle Ray forages in the sand for some crabs and shelled mollusks but it will also feed on fish. When it comes to their reproductive cycle, they are ovoviviparous and the only species that is similar to this one is the New Zealand eagle ray.

In most conditions, this species of rays is difficult to approach but they aren't so at Hamelin Bay. Hamelin Bay is located in West Australia and it is considered by far the absolute best spot to photograph and see the Southern Bat Rays. The snorkellers and waders are able to feed the Southern Eagle Rays right from the shore and the rays that actually come in to take advantage of the snacks that are given are able to be hand fed and petted.

You can find this large species in Australia's southern waters which range from Western Australia to Jurien Bay and then around the southern coat including Tasmania and this reaches up the coast to the east to South Queensland. This species is very uncommon in the northern limits such as New South Wales and Moreton Bay.

Most of the time, the Southern Eagle Ray is going to eat crustaceans such as swimmer crabs, hermit crabs and shrimp. However, they also eat echiurid worms and molluscs as well as polychaetes. Scuba divers can watch these graceful wonderful creatures up close - just remember to go along with an expert. There are scuba diving packages to watch rays all over the world and you can have the time of your life signing up on one of them.