What are facts about spotted eagle rays?

* Scientific name: Aetobatus narinari

* Size: Wingspan up to 3 meters (10 feet), weight up to 225 kilograms (500 pounds)

* Habitat: Tropical and subtropical waters around the world, including coral reefs, bays, and estuaries

* Diet: Plankton, small fish, and squid

* Lifespan: Up to 25 years

* Conservation status: Vulnerable

* Spotted eagle rays are characterized by their distinctive black spots on their dorsal side, which help them to camouflage themselves in their environment.

* They are also known for their long, whip-like tails, which they use to defend themselves against predators.

* Spotted eagle rays are social creatures and often live in groups called schools.

* Spotted eagle rays are filter feeders and use their specialized mouthparts to filter food from the water.

* They play an important role in the marine ecosystem by controlling the population of small fish and squid.

* Spotted eagle rays are ovoviviparous, which means that they give birth to live young.

* Females give birth to a single pup, or occasionally two, after a gestation period of 4-5 months.

* Newborn spotted eagle rays are born with a black and white polka dot pattern, which fades as they mature.

* Spotted eagle rays are listed as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to overfishing and habitat loss.