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
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
Discover sharks and rays

Big skate
(Raja binoculata)
(Raja binoculata)

Fantail stingray
(Pastinachus sephen)
(Pastinachus sephen)

Giant manta
(Mobula birostris)
(Mobula birostris)

Ocellated eagle ray
(Aetobatus ocellatus)
(Aetobatus ocellatus)

Port Jackson shark
(Heterodontus portusjacksoni)
(Heterodontus portusjacksoni)

Raja epaulette shark
(Hemiscyllium freycineti)
(Hemiscyllium freycineti)

Silvertip shark
(Carcharhinus albimarginatus)
(Carcharhinus albimarginatus)

Yellow stingray
(Urobatis jamaicensis)
(Urobatis jamaicensis)
Our latestUpdates

Friday, August 14th 2026
The reef manta ray
Discover the reef manta ray (Mobula alfredi), an impressive tropical ray that frequents coral reefs and feeds mainly on plankton.

Wednesday, August 12th 2026
The crown-of-thorns starfish
Discover the crown-of-thorns starfish, a voracious coral predator that, when populations become unusually large, can consume vast areas of coral and cause significant damage to coral reefs.

Monday, August 10th 2026
The royal sea star
Discover the royal sea star (Astropecten articulatus), a fascinating sea star found on sandy bottoms in the western Atlantic, recognized by its colorful, spine-covered margins.
Photo of the Day

Grand cachalot
(Physeter macrocephalus)
(Physeter macrocephalus)
