SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast Aquarium has welcomed the arrival of a cownose ray pup.
The baby ray is the first of this species born at the aquarium in Mooloolaba since it opened in 1989.
“The male cownose ray was born in February and has been gaining his strength behind the scenes for the last few months,” aquarist Laura Kippax said.
“The baby ray can now be spotted by guests looking into our Turtle Pool but once he is a bit bigger and stronger, we will move him into our large Oceanarium display, where he will swim alongside sharks and other ray species.”
The Aquarium is calling for the local community’s help to name the ray pup.
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People can submit their name suggestion via the website for a chance to win a SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast prize pack including a family pass, Behind the Scenes Tour and show bag.
“The ray currently weighs around 3kg and has a wingspan of about 50cm,” Ms Kippax said.
“There is the potential for his wingspan to reach up to 130cm as he grows older. The ray pup’s favourite food is pilchards, which he cannot get enough of.”
The Australian ray species is named after the unique shape of its head, which from above, looks like a cow’s nose.
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This species is typically found off the coast of the Northern Territory, Queensland and New South Wales, although they are not commonly sighted by humans and not much is known about their population size in the wild.
SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast is open Thursday to Monday during the school term but will be open seven days a week during the upcoming school holidays from June 26 to July 11.
Guests can discover the Teeth & Tails of incredible aquatic animals as they go on a journey through the underwater world Aquarium these school holidays.
All visitors must pre-book their tickets online in advance.
Visit http://www.visitsealife.com/sunshine-coast/information/news/ray-pup-naming-competition/ for further information and to enter the naming competition.
