Manta Ray

Manta Ray

Found mainly in tropical coastal waters, the manta ray is common off south Africa, the red and Arabian Seas, Bay of Bengal, the Pacific coast from California to Peru and the Atlantic between Florida and Brazil. This awe-inspiring ray is one of the largest fish in the sea. The manta is an enormous, bat-like creature that glides through the water on slowly flapping wings two large horns reaching forward from its head. No wonder early mariners named it the devilfish. Its wings are its pectoral(side) fins, with an incredible span of up to 7 m, while its horns are used in feeding. While the manta looks menacing, it is harmless, preferring plankton to people. Manta means blanket inSpanish, reflecting its wide, flat shape.

Born in an Envelope

In the breeding season, Otherwise solitary mantas gather at tropical reefs to mate. The male swims rapidly behind the female until, after half an hours pursuit, she slows. Before maiting he sizes her by biting one of her fins. After mating with a second male, the female leaves the reef. The young develop in eggs inside the mother and hatch before they are born. They emerge wrapped in an envelope formed by the side fins, but soon break free and are independent immediately. The young grow rapidly, doubling their weight in the first year, but do not leave shallow waters until they are several years old.

Part of bodies

• Whip like tail is fairly small and unlike those of stingrays, doesn’t contain a sting
• Cloaca, the females genital opening
• Horns called cephalic lobes can be moved to help funnel water into the mouth when feeding
• Two pectoral fins move the manta through the water

Statistics

• status – vulnerable
• social unit – solitary
• length – 4-7 m
• wingspan – up to 7 m
• weight – up to 1.8 tonnes
• sexual maturity – 5 years
• mating season December – April
• gestation period – 13 months
• number of young – 1-2 pups born live
• diet – planktronic animals, small fish
• lifespan – possibly 18-20 years

Myth or fact

Sailors believed these devilfish could drown them by wrapping their enormous fins around them. Impressive jumps led to tales of mantas capsizing small boats by leaping on top of them. Despite this dangerous reputation, through, these rays are harmless and surprisingly vulnerable. Divers who touch them disturb the protective mucus that coats their skin, causing pinkish skin lesions to develop that last for months.

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