![]() Shop our Manta Ray Necklace and help support ocean conservation efforts now. However, human factors such as unsustainable fishing and an ever increasing demand for their body parts has led the Oceanic Manta Ray to become the first manta ray to be listed as an endangered species. Oceanic Manta Rays have a lifespan of around 15-20 years and are mostly preyed upon by Sharks and Killer Whales. The Mantas use these areas as both feeding and cleaning stations. Oceanic Mantas are often found congregating on reefs particularly susceptible current, which attract schooling fish and plankton. These are used to funnel plankton - a Manta Rays favourite snack! With so many different types of rays, it can be hard to tell them apart but one of the main distinguishable features of the Oceanic Manta Ray are the horns located either side of their huge mouths. Oceanic Mantas inhabit warm tropical waters worldwide, and spend most of their time between the surface and approximately 400ft deep.Īpart from their size, the Oceanic Manta Ray is distinguished by the markings on their backs, which include large black and white patches mostly above their shoulders. The Oceanic Manta Ray is the largest ray species in the world.įrom wing tip to wing tip, they can grow to at least 23ft and weigh up to an impressive 4,000 pounds! Oceanic Manta Ray Photo by Shawn Heinrichs | The great Oceanic Manta is the oceans gentle giant. We take a look at 10 individual types of rays (Batoidea) with photos, to help get to know them better. Eyes that are normally located on the top of their heads. Flat disc-like bodies and a long whip-like tail.Ģ. With over 600 species of rays in existence, it can be hard to spot the difference.Ĭommon similarities amongst the different species include:ġ. Whether they become tangled in nets or are hunted for their body parts, we humans are more of a threat to mantas than ocean predators.ĭid you enjoy these manta ray facts? To learn more about these magnificent creatures and how you can help protect them and their environment, check out Project AWARE.Share this image on your site Please include attribution to with this image. ![]() Humans and human activity pose threats to mantas. They’re classed as “vulnerable” on the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). They’ll return over and over again to cleaning stations to have smaller fishes, like wrasses and sergeant major fish, clean them of parasites. It’s thought that their brain structure, unique among fish, might help to explain mantas social and curious natures. Mantas have large brains, relative to their size Fertilized eggs cases grow inside the mother until the pup is developed – this is estimated to take as long as one year, from mating to birth. (The manta in the image above is not eating the little fish!) Manta ray’s give birth to live youngīaby mantas are born looking like miniature adults, and receive no further care from their mothers. They are filter feeders and they typically feed on zooplankton, such as segmented worms and shrimp-like crustaceans. The furthest north a manta has been recorded was near South Carolina in the United States the southernmost record was around the North Island of New Zealand.ĭespite their enormous size, mantas feed on tiny creatures. Manta ray’s are found in tropical and sub-tropical watersīut, there are some places where mantas tend to gather, including the Bahamas, Fiji, Indonesia, Thailand, Spain and the Maldives. The common nickname for mantas, “devilfish”, was given because of their cephalic fins, which look like horns. The name “manta” comes from the Spanish word meaning “mantle” or “cloak” ![]() Mantas have to swim constantly to stay alive – the forward propulsion flushes water over their gills. Because of their size, very few aquariums can accommodate mantas, so there are not many in captivity. Manta rays can weigh as much as 1,350 kg (3,000 lb) and have wingspans of up to 7 m (23 ft). The mucus serves as protection and a touch from human hands can remove the film, so hands off! They are some of the largest animals in the ocean Baby manta ray skin#Learn more before you meet your first manta by studying up on these facts: A manta’s skin is covered in a mucusy film Just don’t be surprised if, after you’ve seen your first one, you start planning your upcoming dive trips around where you can see another one. Watching such an enormous creature glide through the water with such grace and effortlessness, it’s easy to fall under the manta’s spell. Are you mad about mantas? Then you need to brush up on your manta ray facts!Ī manta ray sighting is one of the most breathtaking experiences a diver can have. ![]()
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