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Raja binoculata Girard, 1855
Big Skate
Family: Rajidae
Introduction to the Fish

Photograph

© Neil McDaniel     (Photo ID #15958)

Map

Source: Distribution of Raja binoculata as compiled by Aquamaps

Species Information

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Anal spines: 0. Dorsal fins well back on tail, small; caudal and anal fins absent; pectorals broad, attached to snout and incorporated with body; pelvic fins large, moderately concave on free margins (Ref. 6885). Posterior sides of tail with a small fleshy keel on either side (Ref. 6885).

Source: FishBase. McEachran, J.D. and K.A Dunn. 1998 . (Ref. 27314)

Biology

Species Biology

Largest skate in North America (Ref. 2850). Feed on crustaceans and fishes (Ref. 6885). Oviparous. Distinct pairing with embrace. Young may tend to follow large objects, such as their mother (Ref. 205). Eggs are oblong capsules with stiff pointed horns at the corners deposited in sandy or muddy flats (Ref. 205). Egg capsules are 22.8-30.5 cm long and 11.0-19.4 cm wide (Ref. 41249, 41300, 41357). Environment: demersal; marine; depth range 3 - 800 m (Ref. 6793), usually 3 - 110 m (Ref. 2850). Climate: temperate; 61°N - 31°N, 165°W - 117°W

Source: FishBase. McEachran, J.D. and K.A Dunn. 1998 . (Ref. 27314)

Distribution

Distribution

North Pacific: Glubokaya Bay, Cape Navarin, and Stalemate Bank to Cedros Island, Baja California, Mexico.

Source: FishBase. McEachran, J.D. and K.A Dunn. 1998 . (Ref. 27314)

Status Information

Origin StatusProvincial StatusBC List
(Red Blue List)		COSEWIC
NativeSNRNo StatusNAR (Apr 2007)



BC Ministry of Environment: BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer--the authoritative source for conservation information in British Columbia.

Additional Range and Status Information Links

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 University of Alaska Museum

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