Rhinoptera bonasus

The cownose ray (Rhinoptera bonasus) is a species of eagle ray found throughout a large part of the western Atlantic and Caribbean, from New England, United States to southern Brazil (East Atlantic populations are now generally considered a separate species, R. marginata); a separate sub-species is known on Australia (Rhinoptera neglecta Ogilby). Cownose rays grow rapidly, and male rays often reach about 35 inches (89 cm) in width and weigh 26 pounds (12 kg). Females typically reach 28 inches (71 cm) in width and weigh 36 pounds (16 kg). The cownose ray is classified as a stingray due to the very close relation to both sharks and skates. These rays also belong to the order Myliobatiformes, a group that is shared by bat rays, manta rays, and eagle rays. Rhinoptera bonasus, comes from the Greek derivation of the word parts.