Sea Life - Electric Ray

Electric Rays are flattened cartilaginous fish with enlarged pectoral fins that can produce an electric charge from 2 large kidney shaped organs on each side of its head ranging from 8 to 220 volts! Used for defense and stunning its prey.  A type of Ray named from the genus Torpedo, gets its name from the Latin word torpere, which means 'to be stiffened or paralyzed' which is how the undersea weapon (Torpedo) received its name.  Electric rays are found from shallow coastal waters down to at least 3,300 ft deep. They are sluggish and slow-moving, propelling themselves with their tails, not by using their pectoral fins as other rays do. They feed on invertebrates and small fish. They lie in wait for prey below the sand using its electricity to stun and capture it. The ancient Greeks used Electric Rays to numb the pain of childbirth and operations!