They prefer sand-covered or muddy areas. Appearance is skate-like, with a brown upper body and white underside. The head is rounded. Thornbacks grow up to three feet in length. They have rough skin with rows of thorny spines on the tail and back, and many large thorns on the wings.
Females are often more spiny than males.
Thornback rays eat shrimp, fish and crustaceans. They are active predators. Thornbacks breed in summer and are ovoviviparous. Their egg cases are mermaid s purse in form, and hatch in 4-5 months. Young prefer waters more shallow than adults.