Circumtropical. Western Atlantic: Bermuda and South Carolina, USA and Brazil to Uruguay, occasionally farther north). Northwest Atlantic: Canada.

A giant ray having an extremely broad head with long head fins, and a terminal mouth; upper surface of disc covered with denticles, and tail usually without a spine. Blackish above, sometimes with white shoulder patches; white below, with grey edging on disc.

Mainly in near-shore waters, near coral and rocky reefs; sometimes found over deep water. Penetrates shallow muddy bays and the intertidal and occurs off river mouths.