Description:

Large whipray with robust oval to subcircular disc. Dorsal surface very rough and prickly due to plate-like denticles and sharp upright thorns. Disc greatly thickened usually 
slightly narrower than long. Snout short, obtuse, tip with short lobe. Tail slender, about equal to disc length with no caudal sting or cutaneous folds. The ray is brown to 
grey dorsally with scattered white blotches and uniformly white ventrally.
 

Maturity: Males mature >90cm DW and females > 100cm DW. Max Length: 147cm TL.

Inhabits the continental shelf (1 to at least 30m depth) area on sand and coral rubble areas near reefs, but most abundant inshore over soft bottoms. Feeds on marine worms, 
crabs and bivalves by ploughing up sediment. Ovoviviparous, with embryos feeding initially on yolk, then receiving additional nourishment from the mother by indirect 
absorption of uterine fluid. Mates with distinct pairing embrace. Biology otherwise poorly known. 
 

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is caught in the net fishery, but is an uncommon component of the catch.

Can cause injury with spines. Inflates itself when threatened causing plates to make hard tough surface and spines to project further.
 

Australian Museum (2013). https://australianmuseum.net.au/porcupine-ray-urogymnus-asperrimus-bloch-schneider-1801 (13/08/18).
Bray, D.J. (2017). Urogymnus asperrimus in Fishes of Australia, accessed 14 Aug 2018, http://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/2031
Chin, A. (2016). Urogymnus asperrimus. The IUCN Red List 2016: e.T39413A68648645. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T39413A68648645.en. (12/03/19).
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. Eds. (2018). FishBase. https://www.fishbase.de/summary/urogymnus-asperrimus (13/08/18).
Last, P.R. et al (2016). Rays of the World. CSIRO Publishing ISBN 9781501705328

Nevill, J.E.G. (2019). Urogymnus asperrimus, Procupine ray. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/urogymnus-asperrimus-bloch-schneider-1801/ (Edited 29/09/21).