Skate
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- This article is about the fish species. For athletic uses, see skating.
A skate is a member of a family of cartilaginous fish species. They are closely related to rays and sharks. They are carnivorous, feeding mostly on smaller fish and crustaceans.
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Skate egg case
The name 'skate' is used in Britain to describe almost any member of the ray family or Rajidae; especially the genus Raja. They have flat pectoral fins continuous with their head, two dorsal fins and a short, spineless tail.
The Common Skate, R. batis, is the largest found in British waters which has a long, pointed snout. The most common Ray in British seas is the thornback, R. clavata. They are frequently caught by trawling.
"Skate wings" are eaten by some people.