Description: This skate has a distinctive pattern of dark, wavy lines edged with small white or cream spots, on a pale brown or sandy background with blotches of brown. Some individuals may have larger white blotches between the dark lines. Lines, spots and blotches will vary between individuals as each animal has a unique pattern. There are two large, pale oval patches on each wing.

Habitat: Sandy seabed from around 10 m to 200 m. Most commonly recorded from 45 m to 100 m depth.

Distribution: Recorded from south coast of England as far north as Northern Ireland’s north coast.

Similar Species: Distinctive patterning should avoid confusion with other species.

Key Identification Features:

• Distinctive dark, wavy lines edged with small white or cream spots.
• Two large, pale oval patches on each wing.

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

iNaturalist: Raja undulata at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Raja undulata

WoRMS: Raja undulata at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Raja undulata Lacepède, 1802. AphiaID: 105891.

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