Sealife guideSharks and rays: the secret lives of elasmobranchsMarine vertebrates

Last updated on 08/22/2025 at 10:42 PM
Elasmobranchs, such as sharks and rays, are very ancient cartilaginous fish. Their light and flexible skeletons make them highly agile in the water and their senses are remarkably developed: some can detect vibrations or electrical fields from a distance.
These animals play a crucial role in marine ecosystems by regulating prey populations and maintaining the balance of reefs and seagrass beds. Despite their often fearsome reputation, most elasmobranchs pose no danger to humans and are a testament to the richness of marine biodiversity.
The manta ray (Mobula birostris) is a cartilaginous fish
The manta ray (Mobula birostris) is a cartilaginous fish
Elasmobranchs are a subclass of cartilaginous fish, scientifically known as Chondrichthyes and include both pelagic and benthic species. Among them is the largest fish in the world, the whale shark, reaching up to 66 feet in length !
The whale shark is the largest fish at the surface of the globe
The whale shark is the largest fish at the surface of the globe
Discover sharks and rays
Coral catshark (Atelomycterus marmoratus)
Coral catshark
(Atelomycterus marmoratus)
Gorgona guitarfish (Pseudobatos prahli)
Gorgona guitarfish
(Pseudobatos prahli)
Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus)
Greenland shark
(Somniosus microcephalus)
Japanese wobbegong (Orectolobus japonicus)
Japanese wobbegong
(Orectolobus japonicus)
Ocellate torpedo (Torpedo torpedo)
Ocellate torpedo
(Torpedo torpedo)
Sand tiger shark (Carcharias taurus)
Sand tiger shark
(Carcharias taurus)
Tasselled wobbegong (Eucrossorhinus dasypogon)
Tasselled wobbegong
(Eucrossorhinus dasypogon)
Whale shark (Rhincodon typus)
Whale shark
(Rhincodon typus)

Our latestUpdates

Photo of the Day
Poisson papillon orné (Chaetodon ornatissimus)
Poisson papillon orné
(Chaetodon ornatissimus)