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

Banded houndshark
(Triakis scyllium)

Bull shark
(Carcharhinus leucas)

Giant manta
(Mobula birostris)

Grey reef shark
(Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos)

Ornate wobbegong
(Orectolobus ornatus)

Short fin mako
(Isurus oxyrinchus)

Small-spotted catshark
(Scyliorhinus canicula)

Tawny nurse shark
(Nebrius ferrugineus)

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