The baby rays will be spending some time acting as animal ambassadors for this incredible Critically Endangered species before being released into the wild. Until then, grow well pups!
Western Cape, South Africa (02 February 2022) – Did you know that stingrays give birth to live young, and do not lay eggs as most people expect of a fish… and recently, a female eagle ray gave birth to four little pups at the Two Oceans Aquarium, giving us all a look into the lives of these fascinating creatures!
Stingrays, like the Aquarium’s eagle rays, are “ovoviviparous”, which means that the mother keeps the eggs inside her body after they have hatched, feeding the pups fluids and egg yolks to help them grow.
Because of the lifestyle these rays live, pups need to be competent swimmers almost immediately when they are born – there is no time for a baby to learn or grow before needing to survive in the wild. So, after a few short minutes of disorientation, while they figure out which way is up, and how their muscles work, the baby rays can swim, move and survive just like their adult mother. No parental care needed!
The mother eagle ray is currently in the I&J Ocean Exhibit at the Aquarium, while the four little pups are being housed in the ray pool in the Diversity Gallery. The baby rays will be spending some time acting as animal ambassadors for this incredible Critically Endangered species, before being released into the wild. Until then, grow well pups!
Watch the video below:
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