Fort Wayne Children's Zoo Home
The Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo is currently closed. Join us for Wild Zoo Spring Preview April 1-7, 13-14, 20-21.

Cownose Ray

Rhinoptera bonasus

Quick Facts

Scientific name: Rhinoptera bonasus
Class: Fish
Weight: Up to 50 pounds
Life span: 15 to 20 years
Conservation status: Near threatened
Number of offspring: 1 pup at a time

About

I LIVE IN NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICA

The cownose ray is native to the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. During the colder months, they will migrate to the southern hemisphere as far south as Brazil.


I AM A CARNIVORE

The cownose ray’s diet includes a variety of marine animals including crabs, lobsters, and fish. They have strong plate-like teeth that allow them to crack through the shells of some of the tougher marine life. The cownose ray will also use their pectoral fins to displace sediment on the ocean floor and reveal hiding prey.


COWNOSE RAYS ARE SOCIAL

Although they are known to be quite shy, cownose rays are actually very social animals who live and migrate in large groups, sometimes up to ten thousand individuals. There is no social order in these groups, and stingrays will often move between groups.


JUMPING FOR JOY

The cownose stingray is known to jump out of the water and drop back on the surface with a loud smack. While this could be the ray’s way of sending a territorial message to other stingrays in the area, it is also known to be their way to dislodge parasites from their body.


Conservation

Learn more about our efforts, our conservation partners around the world, and the simple steps you can take to contribute.

Search