Tidepool Tim says, " The Gulf of Maine supports four skate species. Two are rare, and two are common and very similar. Fishermen don't usually distinguish between the two species. Both species spend most of their time at the ocean floor, partially buried.  Skates are omnivorous, feeding mostly on Crustacea like shrimps, crabs, lobsters, and molluscs. Their teeth are arranged like a flat grinding surface to crush shells and vegetation."