Fish Active day and night

Bat Ray

Myliobatis californica

iNaturalist Wikipedia

A majestic 'flyer' of the Pacific coast, the Bat Ray is famous for its bird-like snout and graceful, wing-like fins. Whether gliding through kelp forests or searching for clams in sandy bays, this gentle ray is a coastal icon.

0 Sightings

0 Habitats

Quick Identification

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Size

Wingspan up to 1.8 m (6 ft) and weight up to 91 kg (200 lbs)

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Colors

Uniformly dark brown to black on the dorsal side; creamy white or pale ventral side

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Key Features

Wing-like pectoral fins with pointed tips
Broad, raised head with a blunt 'duck-bill' snout
Whip-like tail featuring a venomous spine at the base
Distinctive indentation between the eyes

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active day and night

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Peak hours Most active during high tide and the transitions of dawn and dusk

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Season May-September

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Diet Carnivorous predator that specializes in hard-shelled prey including clams, oysters, crabs, shrimp, and snails, as well as occasional small fish.

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Habitat Shallow coastal waters, muddy estuaries, sandy flats, and rocky kelp forests.

public Geographic range

Where Does the Bat Ray Live?

The Bat Ray is a signature species of the Eastern Pacific Ocean, native to the coastal waters of North America. Its primary range stretches from the temperate shores of Oregon in the United States, down through the entire length of California, and extending into the warm waters of the Gulf of California in Mexico. They are particularly common in protected inland bays and lagoons, where the shallow, nutrient-rich waters provide ideal nurseries for their young.

Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors

2 Countries

1.2M km² Range

Least Concern Conservation

US United States MX Mexico

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iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

Bat Rays are highly graceful swimmers that appear to 'fly' through the water by flapping their massive, wing-like pectoral fins. Unlike many of their stingray relatives that spend most of their time buried in the sand, Bat Rays are frequently observed cruising through the mid-water column or soaring near the surface of bays and kelp forests. They are social animals and are often found in large schools, sometimes numbering in the hundreds, particularly during the summer mating season.

When it comes to feeding, these rays are the 'excavators' of the seafloor. They use their pectoral fins to flap against the sediment, creating a suction that uncovers buried prey like clams and shrimp. They possess incredibly strong, flat teeth arranged in plates—much like a conveyor belt—that allow them to crush the hardest shells with ease. While they possess a venomous stinger for self-defense, they are generally shy and will choose flight over fight when encountering humans.

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Camera Tips

Capturing the Bat Ray on an EverydayEarth setup requires a shift to underwater or dock-side monitoring. If you live on a coastal property or have access to a pier, the most effective method is to mount a waterproof action camera or a dedicated submersible camera to a piling or a weighted tripod. Position the camera about 1 to 3 feet off the bottom, aimed toward sandy clearings or the edges of eelgrass beds, as these are the primary 'flight paths' rays use when foraging for food.

Lighting is the biggest challenge for aquatic wildlife. In shallow water during the day, natural sunlight is usually sufficient, but a polarized filter on your lens is a game-changer if you are filming from above the surface, as it cuts through the water's reflection. For nighttime captures, avoid using a powerful, direct spotlight which can scare the rays; instead, use a wide-angle, diffused red light or a low-intensity LED to capture their nocturnal foraging without causing a flight response.

While you cannot use traditional bait like birdseed, you can attract Bat Rays by placing a perforated PVC pipe filled with crushed mussels or clams near your camera. The scent trail will draw them into the frame to investigate. Set your camera to a high frame rate, such as 60fps, to capture the hypnotic, undulating motion of their wings. This slow-motion footage is particularly effective for AI identification and for observing the unique way they use their snouts to probe the sand.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Bat Ray.

California Butterfly Ray

Has an extremely wide, short body and almost no tail, whereas the Bat Ray has a long, whip-like tail.

Spotted Eagle Ray

Easily distinguished by the bright white spots covering its dark back, while the Bat Ray is solid-colored.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Bat Ray are active both day and night, but they are most frequently seen moving into shallow areas during high tide. Their peak activity often aligns with dawn and dusk when they feel more secure foraging in the shallows.

If your 'backyard' is a dock or beach, you can attract them by creating a scent trail using crushed shellfish in a mesh bag or a weighted container. They are highly sensitive to the smell of clams and crabs.

They are specialized bottom-feeders that eat mollusks, crustaceans, and small fish. They use their powerful jaws to crush through the thick shells of clams and crabs that other fish cannot eat.

Yes, they are very common in suburban coastal areas, particularly in man-made harbors, marinas, and residential lagoons along the California coast.

The Bat Ray has a distinct, raised head and a 'duck-bill' snout, whereas the Round Stingray is flat and circular. Bat Rays also have much longer, more pointed 'wings' compared to the circular body of the Round Stingray.

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