12/3/2023 0 Comments Size of giant manta ray![]() The main difference between a reef manta and a mobula ray is that the cephalic horn (that’s what we call it when they roll up their cephalic fins) of a mobula ray is much pointier than that of the reef and pelagic manta rays. A reef manta has more white around the cephalic fins and around its eyes. Pelagic mantas often have a very dark month, and there’s a lot of black around the eyes, even the inside of the cephalic fins is often black. The easiest way to distinguish a reef manta from a pelagic/oceanic manta is the mouth area and the cephalic fins. Mobula rays are the “smallest” of the species, usually measuring up to 10 feet. Reef mantas are smaller than oceanic mantas while oceanic mantas can reach sizes up to 22 feet wide, reef mantas usually don’t exceed 12-14 feet (which is still huge!). Size comparison: reef manta vs giant manta vs mobula ray Mobulas too typically inhabit deeper waters than reef mantas which makes them harder to spot when you’re snorkeling or diving along the coast. That’s why some people refer to them as “reef-dwelling” mantas. Reef mantas prefer shallow watersĪs the name suggests, oceanic mantas typically reside in deep open ocean habitats offshore whereas reef mantas prefer shallow waters near coral reefs or seagrass beds. Mobula rays are well known for their “ breaching”, where they jump out of the water and seem to fly for several moments – something reef manta rays also do at times. This family includes pelagic/oceanic/giant manta rays (Manta birostris) and devil rays (Mobula rays). Reef mantas are part of a larger family of marine life called mobulids. How Are Reef Mantas Different From Giant Mantas and Mobula Rays? Their feeding techniques are quite extraordinary, and the way they twirl has even served as an inspiration for engineers in the aviation industry. They feed by filtering water through their gills and mouth while swimming slowly forward, a behavior known as filter-feeding. Reef manta rays primarily feed on zooplankton. They can be found in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, as well as in the Indian Ocean near Sri Lanka, Indonesia, India, Thailand, and Australia.įind out more about where reef manta rays live (and where you can witness them in their natural habitat) on this page! What do Reef Manta Rays Eat? They prefer warm, shallow coastal areas near coral reefs and seagrass beds, often congregating around cleaning stations where fish remove parasites from their skin. Reef manta rays are found in temperate and tropical seas around the world. Mature males are up to 9-10 feet females tend to be slightly larger than males.ĭespite their large size, reef mantas are gentle giants who pose no threat to humans. In Hawaiian waters, we encounter reef manta pups with a wingspan of 2-3 feet and reef manta adults up to 12-14 feet. ![]() But there iss much more to the species than meets the eye! Let’s take a closer look at these remarkable animals, exploring their diet and habitat, how they differ from other rays, and what we can do to protect them. The majestic manta rays are known for their graceful swimming movements and endearing personalities. Reef manta rays are particularly vulnerable, as they inhabit shallow waters that are easily disturbed by humans. The oldest manta fossil is around 28 million years old! However, since the 1970s their numbers have dwindled due to overfishing and other human-made threats. When you join us for a manta ray moonlight swim, the gentle giants you encounter will be reef mantas. data 2011).Reef manta rays can be found around the world, but they’re not as well known as their larger relatives, the oceanic (giant) manta rays – even though they often get confused with them. This species is capable of deep dives and has been both seen at depth and tracked down to depths exceeding 1,000 metres (A. Satellite tracking studies using archival PAT tags have registered movements of the Giant Manta Ray from Mozambique to South Africa (a distance of 1,100 km), from Ecuador to Peru (190 km), from the Yucatan, Mexico into the Gulf of Mexico (448 km). Satellite tracking results have been able to reveal that the Giant Manta Ray is capable of large migrations (over 1,100 km straight line distance) and have monitored individual movements across international borders, across large bodies of water, and into international waters (A. ![]() Despite this data, preliminary satellite tracking studies and international photo-identification matching projects have suggested a high degree of fragmentation between regional populations of this species, suggesting that movements across ocean basins may be rare. ![]()
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