Georgette Douwma / Thornback cowfish (Lactoria fornasini). Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Georgette Douwma / Thornback cowfish (Lactoria fornasini). Ambon, Indonesia.

SCOTLAND: The Big Picture / Thornback ray (Raja clavata) in a Special Area of Conservation, Loch Creran, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK, December.

Pascal Kobeh / Thornback boxfish / cowfish (Lactoria fornasini) Sulu Sea, Philippines

Pascal Kobeh / Thornback boxfish (Lactoria fornasini), Maldives, Indian Ocean.

Alex Mustard / Thornback Ray (Raja clavata) resting on the sea bed. Gulen, Norway. North East Atlantic Ocean. September

Alex Mustard / Thornback Ray (Raja clavata) resting on the sea bed. Gulen, Norway. North East Atlantic Ocean. September

Fred Bavendam / Thornback Skate (Raja lemprieri) camouflaged on ocean floor, Tasmania, Australia

Philippe Clement / Egg case / mermaids purse of a Thornback ray / skate (Raja clavata) on beach, Normandy, France

Philippe Clement / Egg case / Mermaids purse of a Thornback ray / skate (Raja clavata), Normandy, France

Graham Eaton / Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus) eating a Thornback Ray (Raja clavata), Cardigan Bay, Wales, April 2007

Graham Eaton / Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus) eating a Thornback Ray (Raja clavata), Cardigan Bay, Wales, April 2007