ZooWeird 73

A doggerel series about odd or little-known animals.

Shark ray. The shark ray is a species closely related to guitarfishes and skates. It is widely distributed over the tropical coastal waters of the Indo-Pacific region in depths of up to 90 meters (300 feet). They are the sole member of the family Rhinidae. Their appearance is quite distinctive and they look like a combination of a shark, a ray, and a guitarfish. They are carnivorous, mainly consuming bottom-dwelling crustaceans like crabs and shrimps; however, on occasions they may also feed on mollusks and bony fishes. They use their smell to locate their prey and after they do, they restrain it with their broad, blunt head easing it afterwards inside their mouth with a series of short but strong thrusts. (All animal info from http://www.strangeanimals.info/2011/10/shark-ray.html#ixzz4Y87wOZHn)

He loves crustaceans, so I’ve read,

And plucks them from the ocean floor.

He catches creatures—makes 'em dead;

Then Shark Ray goes to search for more.

Since sharks don’t claim them, rays don’t know

If they are cousins—very odd.

Crustaceans, wary where you go,

For shark rays have an awesome bod

That frightens (as it's s'posed to do),
So take no chances--take no risk:
'Cuz if you do, your life is through—
And you are now a lobster bisque.