Pacific Eagle Ray
Aetobatus laticeps
Silhouette: M Kolmann · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassElasmobranchii
- OrderMyliobatiformes (Stingrays)
- FamilyMyliobatidae (Eagle Rays)
- GenusAetobatus (Painted Rays)
- SpeciesAetobatus laticeps (Pacific Eagle Ray)
About the Pacific Eagle Ray
Aetobatus laticeps, the Pacific white-spotted eagle ray, is a species of cartilaginous fish in the eagle ray family Myliobatidae. It is found in the tropical East Pacific Ocean, ranging from Baja California to northern Peru, including the Galápagos. There has been recent evidence to suggest A.laticeps is in the Mexican tropical Pacific, more specifically in Chacahua Lagoon. However this evidence is insufficient and so the research being done on the spotted eagle rays in Chacahua Lagoon is working under the name A. narinari. Until 2014, it was included in the similar spotted eagle ray (A. narinari), but the two differ in genetics. Studies have been conducted to attempt to identify spot patterns at the individual level. A. laticeps and A. narinari both have white spots on the dorsal side of their dark body, making them difficult to differentiate. Following the split, A. narinari is restricted to the Atlantic, while the Indo-Pacific is inhabited by the closely related A. ocellatus. Wikipedia →
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coiba National Park | 🇵🇦 Panama | |
| 2 | Bahía de Loreto National Park | 🇲🇽 Mexico | |
| 3 | Isla del Coco National Park | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | |
| 4 | Machalilla National Park | 🇪🇨 Ecuador | |
| 5 | Cabo Pulmo National Park | 🇲🇽 Mexico |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Pacific Eagle Ray in Coiba National Park?
About 40% of wildlife watchers report a Pacific Eagle Ray sighting in Coiba National Park, based on 11 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Pacific Eagle Ray in Coiba National Park?
October has the highest sighting rate for Pacific Eagle Ray in Coiba National Park in our monthly data.