Winter skate

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Onglets

Description

Distinguishing features

Like other rays, the winter skate has a flattened body, and its mouth and gills are located underneath its body. It can grow over a meter in length, making it one of the largest rays in Canada.

Its eyes and spiracles (respiratory openings) are on its dorsal side. The spiracles help draw water to the gills when the ray is buried in the sand on the ocean floor. This allows it to continue to obtain oxygen while remaining well camouflaged.

Reproduction

The winter skate spawns year-round.

After internal fertilization, it encapsulates several eggs in rigid egg sacs measuring about 7 cm long and 4 cm wide. The female then deposits these sacs, which resemble greenish-brown tea bags, one by one on the ocean floor, until fully formed rays emerge.

The development of the rays is slow and can span several months, depending on environmental conditions.

Diet

This marine animal primarily feeds on invertebrates such as crustaceans and mollusks. The winter skate occasionally consumes small fish, such as sand lances.

Predators

The grey seal, along with sharks and other species of rays, prey on this animal.

Habitat

The winter skate lives in salt water, on sandy or gravelly bottoms. It is mostly found at depths of less than 111 m.

It inhabits waters with temperatures ranging from –1.2 to 15 degrees Celsius. In the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the temperature fluctuates between –1.2 and 4.8 degrees Celsius.

Ecology, behaviour

The shape and color of its body are well-adapted for escaping predators, as it blends in perfectly with its environment.

The position of its eyes, located on the top of its body, allows the ray to observe what is happening over its head while it eats or rests.

French name

Raie tachetée

Scientific name

Leucoraja ocellata

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Chondrichthyes (cartilaginous fish)

Order

Rajiformes

Family

Rajidae

Size

Average length of female: 80.6 cm; male: 83.4 cm; maximum length: 109 cm

Weight

Maximum: 12 kg

Status

Endangered (IUCN), Threatened (MRNF).

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