Electric ray

High school (ages 12+)
Animals & Nature

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/electric-ray

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the scientific name?Order Torpediniformes
2. What is the diet?Carnivore; includes teleost fish, cephalopods, and crustaceans, often subdued by electric discharge
3. What makes electric rays able to zap?They have special organs made from muscle cells called electrocytes that act like batteries. When the brain signals them, the electrocytes fire together and create an electric shock.
4. How strong can their electric shock be?Some electric rays can produce up to 220 volts, which is enough to stun or kill their prey.

Bioelectrogenesis: The biological production of electricity, as seen in electric fish.
Benthic: Relating to or occurring at the bottom of a body of water.
Elasmobranchs: A subclass of cartilaginous fish that includes sharks, rays, and skates.
Electrothanasia: The use of electric shock to stun or kill prey.