Giant manta ray fun facts2/29/2024 A study conducted on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia estimated that manta rays only start feeding when a certain density of zooplankton is present in the water (in this case 11.2 mg of zooplankton per cubic metre of water). As such, it is assumed that they require large amounts of prey to sustain their daily activities, and therefore roam the oceans and coastlines in search of productive waters. However, despite their size, they are known to feed primarily on microscopic zooplankton (small animals drifting in the ocean). Reaching wingspans of up to 7 metres, mobulid rays rank among the largest fish species inhabiting the oceans. Ongoing research aims to further clarify species identities and boundaries.Ģ. It is believed that a third manta ray species may exist in the Atlantic Ocean, and that some devil ray species occurring in different parts of the globe may in fact be similar. Until recently, this group was believed to count 11 species (two manta ray species and nine species of devil rays), however recent genetic research is questioning these species classifications. Manta rays, and their close relatives devil rays, are collectively classified under the same taxonomic grouping and collectively referred to as ‘mobulid rays’. We still don’t know how many species there are Dr Fabrice Jaine has been researching manta rays for the past 10 years, and shares with us seven amazing facts about mantas and devil rays.ġ. However, most aspects of their lives are still a complete mystery to the scientific community. Once known as ‘devil fish’, their gentle nature is now well known to most divers and ocean enthusiasts. Pretty pointless right? Well, no actually as scientists now believe the male mantas may use their teeth when courting a mate.Manta rays and devil rays have conquered our scuba-loving hearts as gentle and majestic animals. Photo credit: Now, we know that you can’t see them and that’s because they are located under several layers of skin in their lower jaws. They have 300 rows of teeth that they’ll never eat with! Photo credit: Well, people may not have thought they were the devil but due to the lobes attached to their head appearing similar to devil horns people used to refer to these angelic creatures as devil rays.ħ. People used to think they were the devil! The speculations- 1) impress potential mates, 2) evade predators, 3) control the amount of parasites attached to them, or 4) because they just like to.Ħ. Photo credit: Scientists are unsure of why exactly these rays love projecting themselves out of the sea but there are many thoughts on this subject. No problem! Mantas regularly visit cleaning stations at the reefs where certain species of fish eat parasites from the their bodies as they swim by. Photo credit: They want a clean bod without having to put in the muscle work. They love the car wash just as much as you! Photo credit: Most people think that the mother lays an egg and then the baby hatches, however, manta ray babies are alive and kicking when their moms give birth.Ĥ. Manta ray mamas will give birth to one or two pups every other year. On average a manta ray will consume about 60 pounds of small fish and plankton everyday simply by filter feeding!ģ. Photo credit: You see, all they have to do is open that enormous mouth they have and keep on swimming. They can eat without putting forward any effort. If we were rays we would be shooting for 25 too!Ģ. Photo credit: And thats because the largest manta rays can grow to have a wingspan of 25 feet and the oldest rays live to be 25 years old. If you asked a manta what its favorite number, it would probably say 25. Below are 7 manta facts that you probably never knew!ġ. Photo credit: Welcome to the wonderful world of manta rays.
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