Manta ray

The manta ray (Manta birostris) is the largest species of the rays. The largest known specimen was more than 7.6 metres (25 ft) across, with a weight of about 1,300 kilograms (2,900 lb). It ranges throughout tropical waters of the world, typically around coral reefs. They have the largest brain-to-body ratio of the sharks, rays and skates (Elasmobranchii), a brain which is kept warm during lengthy dives to as deep as 500 metres (1,600 ft) in cold water.

Manta ray Temporal range: Lower Miocene to Recent
Manta ray at Hin Daeng, Thailand
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Chondrichthyes
Subclass:	Elasmobranchii
Order:	Myliobatiformes
Family:	Myliobatidae
Genus:	Manta Bancroft, 1829
Species:	M. birostris
Binomial name
Manta birostris (Walbaum, 1792)

Video of a manta ray

Mantas may be at least two different species, the giant manta (Manta birostris), which migrates, and another smaller one called the reef manta (Manta alfredi), which does not. The genus may need revising.

Manta rays are probably at the top of the food chain. Some shark species, such as the tiger shark may hunt them.

Manta Ray Media

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  Manta alfredi with mouth closed, cephalic fins rolled and ventral surface showing distinctive markings

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  M. alfredi group in the Maldives

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  M. alfredi at a coral reef cleaning station with fish picking off parasites

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  M. birostris foraging with mouth opened wide and cephalic fins spread

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  Dead mantas ashore in Senegal

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  M. birostris at Hin Daeng, near Phi Phi Islands, Thailand

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  Ceramic manta ray made by Moche people, 200 AD, Larco Museum Lima, Peru

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  Manta alfredi at Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

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  Manta alfredi and scuba diver