Inhabits mainly inshore coastal waters, also around offlying islands. Commonly seen in estuaries, lagoons, river mouths and even freshwater. Adapted to water temperatures of 16° to 30°C. Uses its saw to stir the bottom when feeding on bottom invertebrates and to kill pelagic fishes (Ref. 9859). Ovoviviparous, with gravid females containing about 15-20 embryos. Saws serving as trophies or taken by tourists as souvenirs. Young are utilized as food in the Western Atlantic (Ref. 9859).