Sealife guideSharks and rays: the secret lives of elasmobranchsMarine vertebrates

Last updated on 08/22/2025 at 10:42 PM

Elasmobranchs, such as sharks and rays, are very ancient cartilaginous fish. Their light and flexible skeletons make them highly agile in the water and their senses are remarkably developed: some can detect vibrations or electrical fields from a distance.

These animals play a crucial role in marine ecosystems by regulating prey populations and maintaining the balance of reefs and seagrass beds. Despite their often fearsome reputation, most elasmobranchs pose no danger to humans and are a testament to the richness of marine biodiversity.

The manta ray (Mobula birostris) is a cartilaginous fish

Elasmobranchs are a subclass of cartilaginous fish, scientifically known as Chondrichthyes and include both pelagic and benthic species. Among them is the largest fish in the world, the whale shark, reaching up to 66 feet in length !

The whale shark is the largest fish at the surface of the globe

Discover sharks and rays

Black blotched stingray
(Taeniura meyeni)

Blacktip shark
(Carcharhinus limbatus)

Common angelshark
(Squatina squatina)

Copper shark
(Carcharhinus brachyurus)

Frilled shark
(Chlamydoselachus anguineus)

Longfin mako
(Isurus paucus)

Ornate wobbegong
(Orectolobus ornatus)

Short fin mako
(Isurus oxyrinchus)

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