The cownose ray is a migratory ray species often found in warm, coastal waters. Its venomous tail barb is made of keratin, just like a human's hair and fingernails. Cownose rays have a golden to dark brown back and an off-white belly with pointed pectoral fins or "wings," wide head with lobes on either side that resemble a cow's nostrils, and a thin tail.
 

Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) SAFE Sharks and Rays Program 

With over 1,200 species, sharks and rays make up a diverse mix of biology, behaviors, and habitats. But faced with destructive fishing practices, a third of sharks and rays are threatened with extinction according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).  

Brookfield Zoo Chicago participates in the AZA SAFE Sharks and Rays Program to help identify survival threats, support recovery, and offer you opportunities to learn more about at-risk species. 

 
Threats 

• • Overfishing 

• • Habitat loss and degradation 

• • Climate change 

• • Pollution 

• • Misaligned public attitudes
   

How We Care 

• • Brookfield Zoo Chicago cares for four shark species (leopard shark, horn shark, swell shark, epaulette shark) and cownose rays.  

• • The Zoo invites you to see sharks up close and learn about why they matter to the world’s marine ecosystems through our Shark Feeding Adventure.