Spotted Skate
Raja montagui
Habitat: Sandy or muddy sea floor
Depth: 8-530m
Food: Crustaceans, worms squid and small fish
Length: Up to 60cm
Lifespan: 18 year
Conservation Status: Least Concern (LC) Evaluated 2023
Similar to the blonde skate, the spotted skate has a blunt nose and brown spots over its upper surface. Lying on the seabed, it covers itself in sand and pounces on its prey. Young spotted skates eat crabs and shrimps but adults prefer fish and larger crustaceans. Like other skates, the spotted skate has up to 60 rows of small teeth on the upper jaw.