Imantotas

Imantotas are a genus of rays belonging to the family Rhinopteridae. These cartilaginous fish are characterized by their distinctively flattened, diamond-shaped bodies and a head that is broadly lobed, resembling a pair of wings. This unique head structure gives them their common name, "cownose rays," as the lobes are thought to resemble the nose of a cow. They possess a short, whip-like tail, which often bears a venomous spine used for defense. Imantotas are found in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide, inhabiting both coastal areas and the open ocean. They are bottom-dwellers, typically found on sandy or muddy bottoms, where they forage for food. Their diet consists mainly of shellfish, crustaceans, and small fish, which they crush with their specialized molar-like teeth. These rays are ovoviviparous, meaning the eggs hatch inside the mother and the young are born alive. While generally not aggressive towards humans, their venomous tail spine can inflict a painful wound if they feel threatened. Some species of imantotas can grow to considerable sizes, with wingspans reaching over a meter.