Lesser electric ray
The lesser electric ray is a unique species of fish known for its ability to generate electric charges, which it uses for stunning prey and self-defense. Belonging to the family Narcinidae, this ray can produce electric discharges ranging from 14 to 37 volts, enough to deliver a small shock to humans and effectively incapacitate smaller marine creatures. Typically found in inshore waters up to 120 feet deep, the lesser electric ray often resides on the ocean floor, camouflaging itself in sand while waiting for fish and crustaceans to approach.
With a distinctive kidney-shaped body, its coloration varies from gray to reddish-brown, often adorned with dark blotches or patterns. The ray can grow between 1 to 1.5 feet long, and its reproductive process is ovoviviparous, meaning females give birth to live young after a gestation period of around three months. While some studies suggest that the lesser electric ray is not facing immediate threats, its population status remains a subject of concern, with some classifications listing it as critically endangered. Overall, this fascinating species highlights the diverse adaptations found within marine life.
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Lesser electric ray
The lesser electric ray is one of the few fish which is able to produce an electric charge in its body. It uses this charge to stun prey and to defend itself. It is one of the around five species of electric rays found in North America. In total, around 70 species of electric rays exist in the world's oceans and seas.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Chondrichthyes
Order: Torpediniformes
Family: Narcinidae
Genus: Narcine
Species: Bancroftii
Two kidney-shaped organs near the head of the lesser electric ray enable it to produce electric charges of about 14 to 37 volts. This is not very much, but it is enough to give a small shock to a human being and to stun the ray's prey so that it can eat it. Other species of electric rays produce greater charges of 200 to 300 volts. The lesser electric ray pounces upon fish and wraps them in its pectoral fins while giving them electric shocks to stun or kill them. Other foods in the diet of the ray are several types of small creatures called crustaceans. Lesser electric rays may also eat annelids, worms, snake eels, and sea anenomes.
The lesser electric ray has a thick, fleshy, circular head which is gray, grayish brown, reddish brown, or brown on its top side and white on its underside. Dark blotches, rings, or dots form patterns across the bare back of the ray. The front part of its body is a round disk formed by the head and the extended pectoral fins. This disk may be several inches (centimeters) across. The ray may grow to be one to 1 1/2 feet (30 to 45 centimeters) long. The thick tail has two flat, triangular fins just behind the disk, one on either side of the tail. Two small dorsal (back) fins sit atop the tail behind these two fins. The caudal, or tail, fin is rounded. This is a cartilaginous fish, which means that it does not have a skeleton of bones, but of cartilage. Cartilage is firm, flexible connective tissue like that which people have in their noses and ears.
Inshore waters of depths of up to 20 fathoms, or 120 feet (36 meters), are the habitat of the ray. Most of the time it lives on the bottom near the shoreline and often buries itself just under the surface of the sand as it waits for prey to swim within range. It either lives alone or in small groups with other rays. It is not a fast swimmer as it flaps the pectoral fins of its disk.
Like all other electric rays, the female lesser electric ray gives birth to live young. The baby rays hatch from their eggs within her body and then leave her body. This is called ovoviviparous reproduction. The time of gestation is around three months, although further research is necessary. The female may have up to 20 young. The young are born with an electric charge. Lesser electric rays can reproduce when they are two years old.
Sharks and other large fish prey on the lesser electric ray. The life span of the lesser electric ray is believed to be around 15 years. While some scientists feel the lesser electric ray is not a threatened species, others have listed the species as critically endangered.
Bibliography
“Lesser Electric Ray - Nacine Bancroftii.” Sharks and Rays, www.sharksandrays.com/lesser-electric-ray. Accessed 21 Apr. 2024.
Press, Michelle. “Narcine Bancroftii – Discover Fishes.” Florida Museum, 1 Jan. 2024, www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/discover-fish/species-profiles/narcine-bancroftii. Accessed 21 Apr. 2024.