Latin Name: Manta birostris, Manta alfredi
Location: Indian, Pacific and Atlanic Oceans
Size: 3-7m
Fun Fact: “Manta” come from the old Spanish word that means “blanket” or “cloak”
Appearance
Manta rays come from the mobula family, which also consists of eagle rays. They all have a skeleton made from cartilage and their bodies are flat. They use their oversized pectoral fins up and down in a motion similar to the way birds use their wings to fly.
In the past decade, scientists discovered that there are two distinct species of manta rays: the oceanic manta (Manta birostris) and the reef manta (Manta alfredi). The easiest way to differentiate between the two is by their size. The reef mantas can be between 3-5m wide and the oceanics are much bigger, they are between 5-7m !
There is also a pattern on the top side of the mantas. Their upper side is mainly black with some white markings. These white markings outline a small ‘Y’ or ‘T’ shape. The oceanics have the ‘Y’ shape and the reef mantas have the ‘T’. However, some mantas are entirely black, making it difficult to tell the species apart based solely on markings.
Infront of their huge mouths they have cephlic lobes which help filter the food into their mouths. But, when they aren’t feeding they are coiled up to help with navigating.
What Do They Eat?
Despite their large size, mantas are filter feeders, consuming tiny plankton and krill. They feed on some of the smallest creatures in the sea, showcasing a fascinating contrast between their size and diet.
Each night, an event known as the “great migration” takes place, during which zooplankton and other small deep-sea creatures rise to shallower waters. This provides a prime feeding opportunity for mantas. They glide effortlessly through the water, often coming so close that it feels as though they will touch you, but they never do. Their graceful swimming and precise movements, even in the dark, make night dives and black-water dives popular ways to observe these majestic animals.
The Belly Prints
Belly prints are the best way for identifying mantas. We have spoken about the markings on their upper side, we are now going to focus on their under belly.These distinctive patterns on the underside of each manta are as individual as fingerprints, allowing researchers and enthusiasts to identify them. If you’re lucky enough to swim with mantas, try to capture photos of their belly prints. You can then upload your images to the following websites:
www.mantamatcher.org
www.mantatrust.org
This allows you to help contribute to manta research and possibly identify the manta you encountered.
Reproduction
Mantas give birth in a unique way. They are ovoviviparous, which means the mothers will produce eggs, but these eggs stay inside the body. The developing embryos consume the remaining unhatched eggs in a survival-of-the-fittest scenario. After this process, the female gives birth to live young, which resembles miniature adults. Females will mainly give birth to only one pup, but they can surprisingly give birth to twins also. It will take 8-10 years until the manta has reached adulthood and they can live up to 50 years.
Intelligence
Mantas are considered highly intelligent, with one of the largest brain-to-body ratios in the marine world. When you encounter them while snorkeling or diving, it’s clear they are curious creatures. It may feel like they are studying you, assessing your presence. Mantas are particularly interested in diver bubbles and may approach closely. It’s important not to chase them—remain still, and they will often come to you. They are just as curious about us as we are about them. Observing mantas in groups is another indicator of their social intelligence.
Where To Find Them
Manta rays live in warm tropical waters within the Indo-Pacific region. But many many years ago there were some mantas that made it over to the East coast of America. It is believed that these are reef mantas that made it across to the Atlantic ocean and reside there. Researchers are looking into if they have evolved to be a new species of manta. They are around the same size as the reef mantas. They tend to be found in the Caribbean but can potentially have a full range to the other side of the Atlantic.