Wide distribution in the western Atlantic from North Carolina through parts of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean and along the northern coast of South America. Occurs to at least the state of Maranhão in Brazil, but may also occur off northeastern Brazil. The exact distribution of Narcine species off northeastern Brazil is presently unresolved as N. bancroftii in Brazil was previously referred to as the ?wide-ranging? N. brasiliensis. That species is a Southwest Atlantic endemic occurring off southern Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina and although its occurrence off northeastern Brazil is documented for the states of Paraíba and Pernambuco (R. Rosa pers. comm.) it is not certain whether records of N. brasiliensis from the State of Ceará truly represent that species or N. bancroftii. It is thought to exist in the Bahamas, however this is not confirmed.