image credit: elasmodiver.com
image credit: elasmodiver.com
image credit: tripadvisor.com
image credit: – drsteve –
Habitat: eastern Pacific Ocean from Baja California to Ecuador
Status: Vulnerable
Status: Vulnerable
I wish all dangerous creatures had markings like this. You know, a big honking bullseye can come in handy when trying to navigate around the ocean. I would definitely take a right if this thing was taking a left, if you know what I mean. This is the Bullseye Electric Ray (Diplobatis ommata) and it’s a species of numbfish.
Similar to rays, numbfish differ in that they can generate a painful electric shock for defense. These guys are solitary creatures, preferring to mosey about at night. When the moon is high, the Bullseye Electric Ray makes its way into shallower water by “hopping” along the sandy bottom with its pelvic fins. Definitely make sure to shuffle your feet if you’re thinking about going for a midnight swim in the Pacific anytime soon!
