Description: A beautiful skate that can be recognised instantly by its striking ‘eye-spot’ pattern. There is a dark black spot filled with yellow blotches in the middle of each wing. There is row of double spines along its tail extending part of the way up the body, younger animals have an additional row of spines. The snout is blunt and the wings are rounded, the main colour overall is blotchy, from light brown to sandy-yellow.

Habitat: On various sediment types from around 20 m to 150 m, although not often seen by divers as seems to prefer deeper water.

Distribution: Found all around Britain and Ireland where there is suitable habitat.

Similar Species: Unlikely to be confused with any other species, eye spot pattern is diagnostic.

Key Identification Features:

• Striking eye-spot markings in middle of each wing.
• Double row of spines on tail, extending onto body; extra row in young animals.

Distribution Map from NBN: Leucoraja naevus at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Leucoraja naevus at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Leucoraja naevus

WoRMS: Leucoraja naevus at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Leucoraja naevus (Müller & Henle, 1841). AphiaID: 105876.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Chordata; Vertebrata; Gnathostomata; Chondrichthyes; Elasmobranchii; Neoselachii; Batoidea; Rajiformes; Rajidae; Leucoraja