It’s Electric!

The “bulleyse” on the back of a Bullseye electric ray

Have you ever felt like you’re walking around with a target on your back? Bullseye electric rays (Diplobatis ommata) can probably relate. While these rays aren’t specifically targeted by the fishing industry, they’re caught in large numbers as bycatch by shrimp trawlers. Luckily, in Los Cabos they can often be found laying around on the ocean floor, just like the individual pictured below.

So are electric rays actually electric!?

A Bullseye electric ray, also known as Ocellated electric ray, resting on the rocky bottom of the reef.

Yep! They have a pair of kidney-shaped electric organs on either side of their head which they can use to produce and deliver an electric current strong enough to stun prey and discourage predators.

Sometimes individuals can be found on sandy bottoms, where they use their spiracles to fluff sand over themselves, perfectly camouflaging into the sand.