- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Subphylum: Vertebrata
- Superclass: Gnathostomata
- Class: Elasmobranchii
- Infraclass: Batoidea
- Order: Rajiformes
- Family: Rajidae
- Scientific name: Amblyraja radiata
- Norwegian: kloskate
Characteristics:
A single row of large thorns run along the center of the back, all the way to the dorsal fin. The coloration is usually dominated by small brown, green or beige spots. Individuals of 17 kg and a length of 90 cm have been registered.
Habitat:
It is usually seen on sand, but can be found on all kind of bottoms. There are registrations from any depths down to 1000 meters, but is perhaps most frequent between 20 and 100 meters.
Distribution:
It is widespread on both sides of the North Atlantic Ocean, as far south as South-Africa on the east side.