The boreal skate (Amblyraja hyperborea) is the opposite of what I am: anti-tropical. Found in the temperate parts of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, they are common residents of lower continental slopes off southern Australia and New Zealand, recorded from 980 to 2000 m deep. A greyish brown colour, their dorsal side sports large dusky blotches and they have a dark tipped snout. Their disc has a row of thorns that leads to its tail, which has six dark saddles. The underbelly of these animals is usually dark grey with the mouth, gills, cloaca and snout being a bit paler in colour. Their low-lying dorsal fins are also dark in colour, as are their claspers. Reaching up to 107 cm, males usually mature at 94 cm (females are currently unknown). Like many Chondrichthyans, their diet and reproduction are unknown, but due to their depth the IUCN has assessed this skate as Least Concern (LC). did you know about this animal?glossary
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AuthorTFUI Founder Melissa C. Marquez is author of all animal bios and "Behind the Fins" segments. SEE MELISSA'S TEDx TALK HERE:
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