Manta rays are large fish that roam the Earth's warm tropical waters.
Manta rays are large, elusive creatures that are closely related to sharks. There are two distinct types of manta ray that differ in size and in habitat. Manta birostris is the largest and Mobula diabolis is the smallest.
Appearance
The large Manta birostris can reach up to 25 feet in length and weight up to 4,000 lbs. The smaller Mobula diabolis typically measures about 2 feet across. Both manta rays share certain basic physical qualities. Like sharks, all manta rays have skeletons made of cartilage instead of bone. Wide feeding flaps extend outward on each side of the manta ray's large mouth. Manta rays move through the water by flapping their large wing-like pectoral fins in an elegant motion reminiscent of birds in flight. In contrast to other rays, the long, pointed tail of the manta ray does not contain a poisonous stinger. Manta rays are dark on the top and have pale undersides.
Habitat
Manta rays like to glide along the surface of warm tropical waters. You can spot them swimming around coral reefs off the coasts of California, Hawaii, Australia, Brazil and Mozambique. They can occupy depths of up to 40 feet. The Manta birostris has a broader migration pattern and tends to spend more time farther out in open water than its smaller relative. The Mobula diabolis likes to remain closer to the coastlines. The only area where both manta rays are known to congregate is near the coral reefs off the coast of Mozambique.
Characteristics
Manta rays are highly intelligent creatures with large brains. Despite its intimidating size, Manta birostris is not aggressive. Both manta rays can swim at high speeds and leap out of the water with almost acrobatic ability. Manta rays are filter feeders. They feed by using their large feeding flaps to sweep plankton and small fish into their mouths. Manta rays also have a low reproductive rate, producing only one or two offspring a year.
Conservation
Because of their low reproductive rates the International Union for Conservation of nature has labeled manta rays as nearly threatened. Manta rays have few natural predators, and humans pose the primary threat. They often die from collisions with boats or becoming tangled in fishing nets. Manta rays are also affected by water pollution. Most efforts to protect the manta ray focus on preserving their natural habitat and keeping the waters they inhabit free from pollution.
Tags: Manta birostris, Manta rays, manta rays, Manta rays, Mobula diabolis, Both manta
