It is found in the tropical East Pacific Ocean, ranging from Baja California to northern Peru, including the Galápagos.

[2] There has been recent evidence to suggest A.laticeps is in the Mexican tropical Pacific, more specifically in Chacahua Lagoon.

However this evidence is insufficient and so the research being done on the spotted eagle rays in Chacahua Lagoon is working under the name A.

[3] Until 2014, it was included in the similar spotted eagle ray (A. narinari), but the two differ in genetics.

A. laticeps and A. narinari both have white spots on the dorsal side of their dark body, making them difficult to differentiate.