Massive Eagle Ray approaches divers from dark ocean depths

The beautiful black figure spotted with white is an enormous spotted Eagle Ray. Closing in on at least 12 feet across, the ray glides through the water like a seasoned jet fighter pilot performing at an airshow. Coming across an Eagle Ray when scuba diving is always a highlight moment to divers. While diving in Utila, Honduras, in clear deep blue waters, this gorgeous Eagle Ray wanted to put on a spectacular display.

Karl and his dive buddies had traveled many miles from Montreal, Quebec to take in the breathtaking waters and animals Utila has to offer. Rays are carnivorous, meaning their diet consists of other animals, they never eat plants. Mostly, other little creatures that live beneath the sand like worms, shrimp and squid. Alongside these small ocean animals, they may eat small fish, clams, oysters, and even sea snails.

After Karl and his buddies descended onto the sand after noticing this large Eagle Ray gliding towards them, the ray began to put on an amazing display. Gliding past numerous times as though examining the area like a Bald Eagle soaring above a field, the Eagle Ray pin points its prey. Settling onto the sand he begins vacuuming the area with it’s incredible suction. Rays do not have teeth, but rather have hard bony plates in which they grind their food after sucking it from beneath the sand. Finding their prey is not as easy as such animals as sharks. The rays eyes are on the top of its head making it difficult to see below them. Using their keen sense of smell for locating prey, they take aim and pounce. What an amazing and beautiful animal!