What behavior helps the ray camouflage while resting or ambushing prey?
Answer
Partially burying itself in the substrate, leaving only eyes and spiracles visible
To maximize camouflage against predators viewing from above and to effectively ambush unsuspecting food items, the Xingu River Ray employs a specific behavior involving the river bottom sediment. The ray will settle onto the substrate and partially bury itself within the silt or sand. This action effectively conceals the majority of its body, leaving only its eyes and spiracles—the openings used for breathing while resting on the bottom—exposed above the layer of sediment, providing excellent cover.
Related Questions
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