Skate are a bottom dwelling species in the shark family. They are characterised by flattened bodies caused from greatly enlarged pectoral fins and have a long pointed snout.

Skate have a large mouth with rows of small angular teeth making them formidable predators, hunting a variety of prey species on the seabed such as crustaceans and molluscs. They also feed on other fish species, both on the bottom and in mid water.

Orkney waters support the largest known skate in the world. Previously named the Common Skate (Dipturus batis) but now considered to be two separate species - the Blue Skate (Dipturus flossada) and the Flapper Skate (Dipturus intermedia).

Female Flapper Skate (Dorsal side) - Copyright Orkney Skate Trust/Marc Dando

Flapper Skate are the species that Orkney waters are providing one of the last remaining strongholds, where they are managing to survive and reproduce among the rich and diverse marine environment of the 70 different islands.

GIS Map showing skate activity around Orkney as of March 2010. Observations are from divers and anglers.

Flapper Skate are the largest of all skate reaching lengths of around 2.5 metres. They are characterised by olive to brown coloured rough skin on their upper side, often with a variable pattern of lighter coloured spots. The underside is darker in colour at birth, which then fades from black to light grey with age, often with a darker mottling around the snout and mouth.

As with all skate and rays male fish are distinguished from female fish by the presence of two long claspers that are used in reproduction. Male Skate also have two small but pronounced thorn patches on the upper-side of both wing tips called the Alar Thorns. 

Male Flapper Skate (Dorsal side) - Copyright Orkney Skate Trust/Marc Dando

Male Flapper Skate (Ventral side) - Copyright Orkney Skate Trust/Marc Dando

Dipturus intermedia like all other species of skate, rays and dogfish lay eggs. Flapper Skate eggs are large in comparison to other similar species and are encased in a hornlike leathery egg capsule. The protective egg capsules have a large yolk which nurtures the embryos sufficiently with nutrients. By laying their young in well protected, stable egg capsules with sufficient nutrients, the female skate cuts time needed to care for their young, leaving the juvenile fish to fend for themselves after hatching.

GIS Map showing diver observations of Flapper Skate alive egg cases around Orkney Waters.