Rajidae

Big skate

Beringraja binoculata

One egg case can hold seven lives

• Temperate
• Northern Hemisphere
• Regional distribution
• Marine fish
• Pacific Ocean
• North America
• Other
• Large
• Temperate fish

The big skate (Beringraja binoculata) is the largest species of skate (family Rajidae) in the waters off North America, and the third largest skate overall (after the flapper skate, Dipturus intermedius and the blue skate, D. batis). They are found along the Pacific Coast from Alaska to Baja California, typically from the intertidal zone to a depth of 120 m (390 ft), and feed on benthic invertebrates and small fishes. They are unusual among skates in that their egg cases may contain up to seven eggs each.