SPOTTED EAGLE RAYS
Each year from late October until early March the shipwrecks surrounding Isla Mujeres turn into a virtual "fly zone" for huge groups of spotted eagle rays. Gliding effortlessly, eagle rays are the sentries that patrol enormous territories each day in search of food, mates, and amusement.
SPOTTED EAGLE RAYS
Every winter see's the return of the magical Spotted Eagle Rays
The eagle rays
gather around the shipwrecks in prolific numbers, attracted by the strong currents of that season, and schools
of them can be seen swimming serenely closely above your heads or jumping out of the water.
Measuring up to 10ft (3 meters) from wing-tip to wing-tip, spotted eagle rays are part of the Myliobatidae
branch of rays which are known to swim in the open ocean rather than close to the seafloor. Despite having
poisonous stingers they are also known to be shy and non-threatening when in large schools. A spotted eagle
ray will glide by or provide the pleasure of being watched as they penetrate the sandy bottom looking for their
favorite food: concha.
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The spotted eagle ray is commonly observed in bays and over coral reefs as well as the occasional foray into
estuarine habitats. Although it occurs in inshore waters to depths of approximately 200 feet (60 m), the
spotted eagle ray spends most of its time swimming in schools in open water. In open waters, spotted eagle
rays often form large schools and swim close to the surface. It is known to swim long distances across open
waters as evidenced by its presence in Bermuda. This species is capable of leaping completely out of the water
when pursued. It swims by "flying" gracefully through the water via the undulation of the pectoral fins. When
this ray is caught and taken out of the water, it produces loud sounds. Although much research is still needed
on the life history of the spotted eagle ray, it is known that this species shows high site fidelity (individuals
often stay in or return to the same location). This ray also interacts socially with other individuals within its
own species.