The Great Skate By: Kylie Brown

2.11

What IS a skate?

Abiotic InfluencesDepth Ocean CurrentsI like the bottom of the

ocean in all parts of the world because I can blend in and hide from predators. Being deep in the ocean also provides me with the cold water that helps me live.

I use the tides’ magnetic field to migrate and search for food.

Abiotic ContinuedSalinitySalt is very

important to my ability to live in water. I only live in the ocean or at an estuary (a place where the river meets the ocean). I cannot live in bodies of freshwater because of the lack of salinity.

Impacting Biotic LifePredators? Meal time!I am sometimes hunted

by sharks but because of my lack of bone (I am cartilaginous) it is hard to track who actually hunts me. My biggest enemy is a human because of over-exploitation of my species.

I have strong teeth and jaws which help me eat yummy things like shellfish, worms, and even crabs!

I.B.L. ContinuedWhat do I look like? My RelationshipsI tend to be covered in

gray/brown scales and have a tale that is shaped like a whip. Sometimes I have organs on my tails that help me shock those I feel threatened by. I have five gill slits to help me breath even though my mouth is on the underside of my body. I use my pectoral fins to move through the water.

Scientists do not know a lot about how I interact with other sea animals but my cousin the manta lets bony fish in shallow waters pick parasites of its’ skin. It is very possible that I follow in the manta ray’s footsteps.

Biographyhttp://

www.mbgnet.net/salt/oceans/animals/index.htm

http://animals.howstuffworks.com/fish/skate-and-ray-info.htm

http://marinelife.about.com/od/fish/p/Skates.htm

http://www.globio.org/glossopedia/article.aspx?art_id=47

http://factsanddetails.com/world.php?itemid=1280