These animals also possess venomous spines that can inflict wounds, thus, making them dangerous. As science advances, we’re sure to learn even more. All rays have flattened and often kite-shaped bodies. Reef and giant mantas became separate species in 2009, and in 2017, DNA studies revealed they both belonged to the genus Mobula-and not in the separate genus Manta. alfredi, whose wingspan reaches up to 18 feet.īecause these elusive fish are so difficult to study, scientists are still working to correctly classify them. Where are Manta Rays found Mantas are found world-wide in tropical to warm temperate seas. Their habitat and feeding grounds often overlap with that of their smaller relative: the more coastal reef manta ray, M. Rather than relocate long distances to follow a food source, the way most large ocean creatures do, giant mantas stay put and adjust their meals to what’s around them-zooplankton, large shrimp, even small fish. These graceful and efficient swimmers (they move around 9 miles per hour and can reach bursts of 22 mph) could easily migrate vast distances across the open ocean, but recent research has found that they often travel just a few hundred miles, remaining within specific subpopulations in regions like the South Pacific, Ecuador, and Bali. Get Inspired By Photos, Videos, Webinars, Stories, And Exclusive Offers. Studies show they may even be able to recognize themselves in a mirror-something very few species can do-and create mental maps of their surroundings. Believed to be highly intelligent, mantas have been known to display curiosity toward divers and attempt to interact with them. These huge creatures have brains to match their size, with the biggest brain-to-body ratio of any fish. With wingspans easily reaching more than 20 feet (up to 30 in rare cases), the gentle, giant manta ray is one of the ocean’s largest fish-and the smartest.

Biggest manta ray