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One day, you’re walking along Crown Beach. Suddenly, you spot a shadow gliding under the water! It's...not a bird—but it's something with wings. What was that? Drumroll please...it's a Bat Ray---one of Alameda’s coolest underwater residents!
Meet the Bat Ray :
Meet the Bat Ray :
Bat rays are the gliding underwater bats of the Bay. Their cousin is the stingray. Bat rays have flat, diamond-shaped bodies and a long tail. They live in sandy or muddy areas, like near Crown Beach or Crab Cove.
These rays are bottom feeders. They use their pointed fins to flip up sand to root out and eat clams, crabs, and worms using their powerful jaws. They can grow up to 6 feet wide and are usually brown or olive. These creatures are gentle and shy—they won’t hurt people if left alone.
So...who Else Is Hiding?
So...who Else Is Hiding?
So now, you might be wondering, what other "mysteries” and hidden animals are under Alameda waters? Well, there are so many! Crabs tiptoe through eelgrass, spotted leopard sharks (harmless to humans!) cruise the shallows, tiny pipefish blend in like sea grass, and anchovies and gobies dart around the shore.
Did You Know?
Alameda’s waters are nurseries for countless baby sea creatures?
Why Don’t We See Them?
Why Don’t We See Them?
You might be wondering "Why can't we see these creatures?" Unfortunately the water isn’t always clear. This is because there is sediment, tides, and algae within our bay. To see if any creatures are near you, look for ripples, shadows, or "puffs" of sand for any hints of hidden sea animals. To see them more clearly, visit the beach during low tide to explore mudflats or Crab Cove's touch tanks.
However, these creatures often get harmed by human activity. Here are some simple ways that we can protect Alameda's hidden marine life.
Don't Litter! Trash and small plastics hurt marine animals. Rays filter feed so sediment health matter.
Stay out of eelgrass beds when kayaking or paddleboarding as to not disturb animal's homes
Support clean water and habit restoration!
Remember! : Just because we can’t see them doesn’t mean they’re not there. Next time you're near the water, keep your eyes open—Alameda’s bay might be hiding something magical just below the surface!
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