Zoology

Class Chondrickthyes

Aetobatus narinari (Spotted Eagle Ray)

Galeocerdo Cuvier (Tiger Shark)

Spotted Eagle Ray

Aetobatus narinari

Phylum: Chordata
Family: Myliobatidae
Genus: Aetobatus
Species: A. narinari

•Hawaiian name:
Hihimanu

•Detailed description of the organism

A Spotted Eagle Ray’s body can grow up to 2.5 meters; including the tail it can be 5 meters. It can weigh up to 507 pounds. This species of ray has a black, grey, or brown colour with bluish, greenish, or yellowish spots. Its ventral surface is white.

•Habitat

This type of ray lives in tropical and warm temperate waters. It can be found in western and eastern Atlantic Ocean, Indo-West Pacific, and eastern Pacific Ocean (ex. Hawaii, Australia, Galapagos Islands, and Gulf of Mexico). It swims mostly in open water close to the surface, though can be found in bays estuary, and coral reefs. Spotted eagle rays are social and can often be found in large schools.

•Diet

Spotted Eagle Rays eat clams, oysters, shrimp, octopus, squid, sea urchins, and some fish. Its shovel shaped bill is used to find benthic invertebrates in the mud as well.

•Zoological features

Spotted Eagle Rays have a long thin tail. It can be 2 to six feet in length. This tail has venomous spines. They are only used for defense and leave a stinging sensation.

•Basic Growth and development cycles

Eggs develop and hatch inside the mother. Baby Spotted Eagle Rays are called pups. The mother usually has four pups at a time. They are 6.7 to 13.8 inches wide.

Fun Fact: Spotted Eagle Rays are considered Near Threatened.

Tiger Shark

Galeocerdo Cuvier

Phylum: Chordata
Family: Carcharhinidae
Genus: Galeocerdo
Species: cuvier

•Hawaiian name
Niuhi

•Detailed description of the organism

Tiger sharks have dark tiger-like stripes. Its dorsal fins are close to its tail. It can grow 11 to 14 feet long and weigh 850 to 1400 pounds.

•Habitat

The tiger shark is often found in tropical and warm temperate waters. It inhabits both oceanic waters (up to 140 m) as well as shallow coastal waters. They seem to prefer turbid coastal areas where fresh water runoff occurs as different prey species may congregate to feed in these areas.

•Diet

The tiger shark is omnivorous and a voracious predator. It has been known to consume a wide variety of marine prey and even some terrestrial animals. Common prey include crabs, shellfish, lobsters, squid, bony fish, small sharks, skates, rays, porpoises, turtles, marine birds and mammals. A large number of inorganic artifacts and garbage associated with humans have been found in the stomachs of tiger sharks as well. With such a diverse range of prey, the tiger shark is considered the most adaptable of all shark species. It eats pretty much anything it comes across, including, license plates, old tires, and suits of armor.

•Zoological features
Tiger shark has a cartilage skeleton.

•Basic Growth and development cycles

Gestation is believed to last just over 12 months. Pups are generally 68 to 85 cm long at birth. The males and females mature between 4 to 7 years.

Fun Facts: They are listed as near threatened throughout their range.