How Does the Thornback Ray Reproduce?

Reproduction: An egg-laying species of ray or skate, with females laying up to 170 eggs per year (although most produce around 48-74). Adults may move in to shallow nursery areas to spawn and lay their eggs in winter, spring or summer, depending on their location.

How big do Thornbacks grow?

The body is kite-shaped with a long, thorny tail. The back is covered in numerous thorny spines, as is the underside in older females. Adult fish can grow to 1 metre (3.3 ft) in length, although most are less than 85 centimetres (33 in). This ray can weigh from 4.5 to 8.75 lb (2 to 4 kg).

Where do thornback rays live?

The thornback ray lives deep in the oceans of the North Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea, and the Indian Ocean. The distribution of this species is varied, it is commonly spotted in the British Isles, around Madeira, and near South Africa.