| any of several rays of the family Myliobatidae, found in tropical seas and noted for the soaring movements by which they propel themselves through the water. |
| eagle ray n. Any of numerous rays of the family Myliobatidae, found in tropical and subtropical shallow seas and noted for their massive jaws and large winglike pectoral fins, which they flap for propulsion. |
eagle ray
any of about two dozen species of exclusively marine rays constituting the family Myliobatidae (order Rajiformes), occurring in the major oceans. They have the enlarged, winglike pectoral fins characteristic of the order. Some species have a sharp-edged serrated spine at the base of the long, whiplike tail. Their teeth are flat, for crushing and grinding mollusks and crustaceans. Although they are bottom feeders, eagle rays frequently swim near the ocean's surface, occasionally jumping high out of the water in spectacular displays. The spotted eagle ray (Aetobatus narinari) has a wingspan of up to 2.1 metres (7 feet)
Learn more about eagle ray with a free trial on Britannica.com.