What is the primary function of the ray's specialized, shovel-shaped snout?

Answer

Probing and digging in soft sand sediments to unearth hidden prey.

The distinctive snout structure is a critical foraging tool specifically utilized to probe and excavate prey items buried within the soft sand on the seafloor.

What is the primary function of the ray's specialized, shovel-shaped snout?
animalRayeaglefish