Today I will be talking about the Giant Manta Ray (Manta birostris)! Did you know that a group of Manta Rays is called a squadron? The only other animal that is given the MR name is the Reef Manta Ray (Manta alfredi) which is smaller in size, but not really cause it can grow up to 5 meters disc width (length between wing tips). M. alfredi has a white color around its mouth whereas the M. birostris has black around its mouth. The Giant Manta Ray, to hold up to its name can grow to a disc width of 9 meters, but it’s average is 6-7m! They are found in tropical waters from the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific oceans living primarily in deep ocean surface waters to feed, but can dive to depths of 200 meters (656 feet). Similar to many of the oceans other large animals, their diet is dependent on plankton which they filter feed from surface waters. Those recognizable features on the outside of their mouths are called “cephalic lobes” that help direct more water and food into their mouths! They are listed as a vulnerable species due to threats from humans both by intentional targeting for their gills and bycatch from fishing nets. Furthermore, since they are filter feeders they can be subject to ingesting plastic floating at the surface of the water. They have a very low fecundity, meaning they have a low reproductive capacity. They could have 1 pup every 2-3 years. Due to this their populations do not bounce back quickly from all the threats they are facing!
Originally posted 28 July 2019
(not my pictures)
They are listed as a Threatened Species, the status just above Endangered, under the Endangered Species Act.