Caliraja inornata (Jordan & Gilbert, 1881)
California skate
Caliraja inornata
photo by FAO

Family:  Rajidae (Skates)
Max. size:  76 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 13 - 1600 m
Distribution:  Eastern Pacific: Juan de Fuca Strait in Canada and USA to central Baja California, Mexico.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Common in inshore waters from approximately 15 m and in shallow bays, sometimes in deep water (Ref. 2850, Ref. 114953). Feeds on small benthic invertebrates, polychaete worms and shrimps (Ref. 114953). Oviparous. Distinct pairing with embrace. Young may tend to follow large objects, such as their mother (Ref. 205). Eggs are oblong capsules with stiff pointed horns at the corners deposited in sandy or muddy flats (Ref. 205). Egg capsules are 7.0-8.5 cm long and 6.5-7.6 cm wide (Ref. 41300). Males reaches maturity at ca. 47 cm TL, females at 52 cm TL; young hatch at ca. 15-23 cm TL (Ref. 114953).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 27 September 2014 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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