family Rhinobatidae

Small to medium sized shark-liksrays (to 5 m total length), the tail moderately stout to stout, not distinctlymarked off from disc, with folds alonglower part of sides. Snout wedge-shaped,from obtusely angled and only moderatelyproduced, to acutely angled and greatlyproduced. Nostrils with (without in some) lobe-like expansions of anteriormargin separate from each other and fromupper lip, or these expansions united toform a single broad subquadrangular curtain, free hind edges of which is closeto upper lip. Mouth straight to slightlyarched; teeth numerous and pavement-like. Two large dorsal fins, the firstbegining behind hind tip of pectoralfins; these moderately expanded, attached to sides of head from level ofnostrils to level of mide-part of snoutand reaching to origin of pelvic fins orslightly beyond; pelvic fins not broadlyexpanded, margins convex, quite separatefrom pectoral fins; caudal fin well developed, with a slightly upturned axis,but without a definite lowe lobe. Bodyand fins densely covered with small denticles; upper surface with thornlets orthorns around inner margin of orbits,between spiracles, on nape and shoulder,and along midline of disc and tail.

Bentic on soft bottoms, generallyin shallow water, but sometimes todepths of 110 m. Ovoviviparous, femalescontaining 4-15 embryos. Feeding onsmall fishes, crustaceans, molluscs andother invertebrates. Rather inactive,swimming slowly over the bottom by undulating their stout tails, or partiatlyburied.