Cow-nosed rays (Rhinoptera bonasus) are among the most frequently exhibited elasmobranchs in public aquaria, yet comparatively little is known about the structure and variability of their skin-associated microbiomes. Existing research has described bacterial communities on rays housed in interactive touch-tank environments, but these studies have largely focused on a single microbial domain and have not evaluated how microbial assemblages may differ across distinct body regions that experience varying levels of human contact. Understanding these patterns is important for assessing how public interaction influences host-associated microbial ecology and for informing animal-care practices in aquarium settings. This study investigates the skin microbiomes of 16 healthy cow-nosed rays housed in a touch-tank exhibit at the Newport Aquarium in California. We hypothesize that regions of the dorsal surface, particularly the pectoral fins and midline back, experience the greatest frequency of interaction with human visitors, and therefore may harbor microbial communities that differ from those on the ventral surface, which remains largely inaccessible to touch. To evaluate this, skin samples will be obtained from multiple dorsal and ventral body sites on each individual ray. Microbiome profiles from these regions will be compared to determine whether consistent differences emerge in community structure, diversity, or taxonomic composition. By characterizing spatial variation in the ray skin microbiome, this study aims to provide a more comprehensive understanding of how external contact and behavioral exposure shape host-associated microbial communities. These findings may offer insight into best practices for touch-tank management and contribute to a broader understanding of elasmobranch microbial ecology.