It is believed to be the first time the marbled electric ray - which can give a shock almost as strong as mains power - has given birth in captivity in Britain.
The baby rays are in good health and feeding happily on slivers of squid in a nursery tank at Brighton Sealife Centre in Brighton, East Sussex.
The mother was delivered to the centre in September by a local fisherman who was surprised to find the ray among his catch.
Marbled electric rays, or Torpedo marmorata, are usually found in the Mediterranean.
Curator Alex Gerrard said: "She settled in well, but started to go off her food mid-way through December.
"We were worried she might be ill but realise now it was because she was ready to go into labour."
The mum is the size of a large dinner plate and her babies are each as big as the bottom of a coffee cup.
Via - Telegraph
The electric rays are a group of rays, flattened cartilaginous fish with enlarged pectoral fins, that comprise the order Torpediniformes. They are known for being capable of producing an electric discharge, ranging from as little as 8 volts up to 220 volts depending on species, used to stun prey and for defense. There are 69 species in four families.
Perhaps the most known members are those of the genus Torpedo, also called crampfish and numbfish, after which the device called a torpedo is named. The name comes from the Latin "torpere", to be stiffened or paralyzed, referring to the effect on someone who handles or steps on a living electric ray.
Torpedo rays are excellent swimmers. Their round disk shaped bodies allow them to remain suspended in the water or roam for food with minimal swimming effort. [Wikipedia]
Categories:
Animals
0 comments:
Post a Comment