Peitschenrochen vs Graureiher

Gymnura altavela compared with Ardea cinerea

Key Differences

• Peitschenrochen is Endangered while Graureiher is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Peitschenrochen	Graureiher
Kingdom same	Animalia (Tier)	Animalia (Tier)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordatiere)	Chordata (Chordatiere)
Class	Elasmobranchii	Aves (Vögel)
Order	Myliobatiformes (Stechrochenartige)	Pelecaniformes (Pelecaniformes)
Family	Gymnuridae	Ardeidae
Genus	Gymnura	Ardea
Species	Gymnura altavela	Ardea cinerea

Evolutionary Relationship

Peitschenrochen and Graureiher share a common ancestor at the Phylum level: Chordata. (Chordatiere)

Conservation Status

Peitschenrochen

EN — Endangered

Graureiher

LC — Least Concern

Trend: Stable →

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Peitschenrochen	Graureiher
Diet	—	Carnivore
Average Lifespan	—	15 years
Average Length	—	95 cm
Average Weight	—	1.5 kg

Habitat & Geographic Range

Peitschenrochen

Habitat

Native to South America, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Found in Venezuela. Currently classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Graureiher

Habitat

Typically found in diverse ecosystems where prey species are available.

Range

Found across Europe (6 countries).

Peitschenrochen

The Butterfly ray (Gymnura altavela) is a species in the genus Gymnura. It is currently classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Native to South America, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Graureiher

A large, elegant wading bird reaching up to 1 meter in height, gray herons inhabit wetlands, rivers, lakes, and coastal areas across Europe, Asia, and Africa. Patient, solitary hunters, they stand motionless for long periods before striking fish, frogs, and small mammals with lightning-fast dagger bill strikes. They nest colonially in tall trees in rookeries called heronries, sometimes shared with other colonial waterbirds. Widely distributed and of Least Concern globally.