Flattened body. Back appears greenish-brown to gray with darker and lighter irregular spots and blotches; white underneath. Body is wider than it is long with slightly pointed pectoral fins. Pointed snout, and spineless tail is skinny and short; may appear striped with dark bars.
Average Maximum Size:
122 cm (48 in)
Adults Distinguishing Characteristics:
The Smooth Butterfly Ray differs from regional whiptail stingrays such as the Atlantic Stingray, Southern Stingray, and Bluntnose Stingray by its proportionally greater body width and shorter body length which gives it a butterfly-like body profile rather than a disc-like one. The tail of butterfly rays are additionally much shorter in proportion to the body than with whiptail stingrays.
Juveniles Distinguishing Characteristics:
Range:
Maryland to Brazil
Habitat:
Coastal waters along the continental shelf with soft sandy and muddy bottoms. will enter brackish estuaries and lagoons.
