The porcupine ray is a highly distinctive, but little known species, which is named for the unusual thorny projections that are found on the upperside of its body. This species has a thick, oval, disc-shaped body, a rounded snout and a long, whip-like tail, which does not possess the venomous barb that is characteristic of most members of the stingray family (Dasyatidae). Instead, this species is protected from predators by its armoured body, which is covered with a mixture of large, sharp, conical thorns and smaller, pointed projections known as “denticles”. The young lack the thorns, but bear numerous large, flat denticles on the upper surface of the body. The colouration of this species is brown to light grey above and white below, while the tail is blackish, becoming darker towards the tip.