![]() Sometimes irresponsible fishing people will throw live skates on the beach to die a slow, horrific death as retaliation for eating their cut bait on a hook. But in some other nearby states, skates are commonly used for bait by shark anglers.ĭue to their tendency to be near-shore, several species of skates are often caught by recreational fishers. In general, skates and rays found along the Jersey Shore have little to no recreational fishing value and are not intentionally pursued in any recreational fisheries. WHAT ARE SOME PRIMARY THREATS TO SKATES & RAYS ALONG THE JERSEY SHORE? Rays feed on a diverse diet of shellfish and crabs including clams, crabs, shrimps, and oysters. Skates prefer to eat on shellfish and crabs, sea quirts, shrimps, squid and small fish. Along the Jersey Shore, skates and rays will eat mostly on invertebrates that live on the bottom of an ocean or estuary. Many local species of skate and rays are opportunistic feeders, eating whatever is available. All rays, however, typically have a slender and long tail. Yet, not all rays have stingers (the giant manta ray doesn't have a stinger), and not all rays sting. Some species of rays, however, including stingrays, one of the most recognized type of ray, can be harmful, even deadly to humans, if provoked. Quite a few species of skates live in cool waters, while rays prefer warm seas and rivers. Rays have dental plates with rows of small, flat teeth adapted for crushing prey like clams and crabs. ![]() Skates have small pointy teeth (like sandpaper) designed to bite their prey. Skates do not possess a stinging spine on their tail, while many rays do. Skates release their eggs in leathery rectangular cases often whimsically called by people as “mermaid’s purses.” Female rays bear live young (viviparous) while female skates are egg laying (oviparous) fish. The main difference between rays and skates is in their reproductive efforts. WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE SKATES AND THE RAYS? There are several main variations between skates and rays. Yet, unlike bony fish, cartilaginous fish leave very few fossil records due to lack of bones or a skeleton. They even had spines! It is currently accepted that all skates and rays are derived from guitar-like fishes, but the evolution pattern is uncertain at this time. When buried in the sand, skates and rays rely on spiracles to provide them with oxygen.Īccording to the fossil records, it is believed skates and rays evolved 150 million years ago during the late Jurassic period as guitar-like fish. The mouth, nostrils and gill slits of skates and rays are always found on the underside of the fish, with the eyes and spiracles (breathing holes) on the upper side. Either hiding from predators or lying in wait for unsuspecting prey. Skates and rays spend a lot of time buried in the sand. Out of around 1,000 species of cartilaginous fishes, about 400 species are sharks, and about 600 species are skates and rays in oceans throughout the world. ![]() So cartilage reduces weight, making it easier for these fish to swim at fast speeds with less energy being expelled to catch prey. Cartilage is flexible, strong and dense, but not so heavy as bone. It’s why babies have rubbery legs when they begin to walk. Cartilage is a tremendously strong and flexible fibrous tissue that forms the framework for bones to ossify (harden) upon. ![]()
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