Fish crepuscular

Big Skate

Beringraja binoculata

The Big Skate is the undisputed giant of the Pacific seafloor. With a wingspan that can rival a small car and iconic 'eyespots' designed to confuse predators, this magnificent creature is a true marvel of coastal camouflage.

0 Sightings

0 Habitats

Quick Identification

straighten

Size

Up to 2.4 m (8 ft) in length and nearly as wide; weight can exceed 90 kg (200 lbs)

palette

Colors

Mottled olive-brown or gray dorsal side with small white spots; pale white underside. Features two large, dark 'eyespots' (ocelli) with yellow borders on the pectoral fins.

visibility

Key Features

Massive pectoral fins with two dark eyespots (ocelli)
Distinctly squared-off snout
Largest skate species in North America, up to 8 feet long
Mottled brown or gray camouflage on dorsal side
Long, slender tail without a stinging barb

When You’ll See Them

schedule

Activity pattern crepuscular

brightness_5

Peak hours 4-8 AM, 5-9 PM

calendar_month

Season Year-round, with increased shallow-water sightings in Spring and Summer during breeding.

restaurant

Diet A carnivorous bottom-feeder that primarily hunts Dungeness crabs, shrimp, and small benthic fish like sculpins and flatfish.

park

Habitat Coastal waters including sandy bays, estuaries, and the continental shelf, ranging from the intertidal zone to depths of 120 meters.

bar_chart
Loading activity data...

Behavior

The Big Skate is a master of camouflage, spending much of its life partially buried in the sand or fine gravel of the seafloor. By using its spiracles to breathe while buried, it remains nearly invisible to both predators and prey. They are ambush hunters, waiting for a crab or small fish to wander too close before bursting from the sediment to trap the meal under their broad, wing-like fins.

Unlike many other fish, Big Skates move with a graceful, undulating motion of their pectoral fins, appearing to glide or 'fly' just above the ocean floor. While they are generally solitary creatures, they are often found in high numbers in nutrient-rich estuaries and bays. They are not aggressive toward humans and are known for their unique 'mermaid's purses'—leathery egg cases that are unusually large and can contain multiple embryos.

photo_camera EverydayEarth exclusive

Camera Tips

Capturing the Big Skate on camera requires a specialized underwater setup, ideally suited for those with 'backyards' that include private docks, piers, or beachfront property. To get the best results, use a submerged 'drop camera' or a trail camera in a waterproof marine housing. Position your camera about 1 to 2 feet above the seafloor, pointing at a slight downward angle. Because Big Skates blend in perfectly with sandy bottoms, high-resolution 4K video is highly recommended to help distinguish their subtle outlines and the movement of their spiracles.

To attract a Big Skate to your lens, use a scent-based lure. A perforated bait box filled with crushed local crab or oily fish like mackerel is incredibly effective. Secure the bait box firmly in the center of your camera's field of view. The skate's keen sense of smell will lead it to the box, where you can record its fascinating 'tenting' behavior—arching its body to create a vacuum that pulls food toward its mouth. Since they are most active during the low-light hours of dawn and dusk, ensure your camera has high-quality infrared (IR) night vision or a motion-activated red light, as standard white lights can sometimes startle them.

Pay close attention to the tides and seasons. Big Skates are more likely to venture into very shallow water during high tides in the spring and summer months when they are searching for optimal spots to deposit their egg cases. If you are setting up a camera in an area with strong currents, such as an estuary, make sure your equipment is heavily weighted or tethered to a fixed structure like a dock piling. A wide-angle lens is essential for this species; at 8 feet wide, a mature adult can easily fill the entire frame!

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Big Skate.

Longnose Skate

Features a much pointier, elongated snout and lacks the large, distinctive eyespots found on the Big Skate's pectoral fins.

California Skate

Much smaller in size (up to 30 inches) with more intricate, varied patterns on its dorsal side rather than two dominant ocelli.

Frequently Asked Questions

Big Skate are primarily crepuscular, meaning they are most active during the twilight hours of dawn and dusk. They often use these low-light periods to hunt for crabs and small fish when their camouflage is most effective.

The best way to attract a Big Skate is through scent. Using a weighted bait box filled with crushed crab, shrimp, or oily fish pieces will draw them in from a distance as they follow the 'smell' trail along the seafloor.

Their diet consists mainly of bottom-dwelling invertebrates and fish. They are particularly fond of Dungeness crabs, shrimp, and various species of flatfish found in sandy coastal environments.

Yes, while they can live in deep waters, Big Skate are frequently found in shallow bays, estuaries, and even the intertidal zone, especially during the spring and summer breeding seasons.

You can distinguish a Big Skate by its massive size and the two prominent, dark 'eyespots' on its fins. Additionally, the Big Skate has a relatively blunt, squared-off snout compared to the sharply pointed snout of the Longnose Skate.

Record Big Skate at your habitat

Connect a camera to start building your own species record — AI identifies every visitor automatically.

Join free Identify a photo