This week I came across a cownose ray washed up along the Texas coast. Even out of the water, its shape stood out. The broad, diamond-shaped body and wing-like fins showed how these rays move through bays and nearshore Gulf waters, almost like they are flying underwater.
True to their name, the head featured two rounded lobes that resemble a cow’s nose, a distinctive trait that makes this species easy to identify.
But what fascinated me most was underneath. Like other rays, the cownose has its mouth on the underside of its body, perfectly positioned for feeding along the seafloor. Inside, instead of sharp teeth, are tightly packed crushing plates, flat, powerful structures designed for breaking apart hard-shelled prey.
These rays are built to eat oysters, clams and crabs, making them important to the balance of life along the coast, even if their appetite sometimes puts them at odds with shellfish fisheries.
Cownose rays are a common sight along the Texas coast from spring through fall, often traveling in large migrating schools that can number in the thousands.
On calm days, you might spot their dark shapes gliding just beneath the surface or even see one leap completely out of the water.
Despite their size and abundance, they live a vulnerable life. Females typically give birth to one pup each year, meaning populations can be slow to recover from pressure.
Finding this ray shows how connected our beaches are to the larger Gulf. Each animal that washes ashore has a story tied to movement, survival and the changing coastal waters.
Jace Tunnell is the director of community engagement for the Harte Research Institute at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. His Beachcombing series appears on YouTube (@HarteResearch), Facebook (facebook.com/harteresearch) and Instagram (@harteresearch).
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: This aptly named marine animal has a head shaped like a cow’s nose
Reporting by Jace Tunnell, Harte Research Institute / Corpus Christi Caller Times
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