Sharks, Skates and Rays - Oh my!

Tybee Island Marine Science Center Podcast

Did you know that sharks have some famous relatives? Yes - they do! The skates and rays are often left with little recognition while sharks get a lot of the spotlight. But today, we are shining a light on all three.

Welcome to the Tybee Island Marine Science Center Podcast! We record our episodes on-location at the center, located at 37 Meddin Drive, Tybee Island, Georgia.

On this episode, Environmental Educator Meredith Northcott is teaching us about sharks, skates and rays. Believe it, or not - they are all closely related. They are all also species of cartilaginous fish - which basically means they have NO bones in their bodies. Their entire skeleton is made out of cartilage.

While sharks have a body shape similar to other fish, most skates and rays feature flattened, wing-like bodies that enable them to glide smoothly through the water. Although they are frequently confused with each other, subtle distinctions in their body shapes can help tell them apart. Skates have a pronounced rostrum, or a pointed snout-like structure, which gives their body an elongated triangular appearance. Typically, their bodies are more rounded, and they sport a dorsal fin at the end of their tails. Rays, in contrast, often have a diamond-shaped body with distinctly wing-like pectoral fins. The manta ray, with its remarkable 30-foot wingspan, moves through the water with a grace that seems almost supernatural.

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