Common name:
Oceanic manta ray
Scientific name:
Mobula birostris
Spanish name:
Manta oceánica
Conservation status:
Endangered
Average lifespan:
40 years
Average size:
4.5 - 7 metres
Maximum size:
9 metres
Average weight:
1,350 - 2,000 kilograms
Maximum weight:
3,000 kilograms
The oceanic manta ray is the largest species of ray in the world. They can be found throughout tropical and sub-tropical regions, including the nutrient-rich waters surrounding the Galapagos Islands. Manta rays spend a significant proportion of their life out on the open ocean, diving hundreds of metres into the deep in search of zooplankton to feed on. They also spend a lot of time visiting cleaning stations where small fish will offer their cleaning services, removing parasites and dirt from their bodies.
Manta rays are instantly recognisable by their large, diamond-shaped bodies with elongated, wing-like pectoral fins and dorsal white shoulder markings that create a distinctive ‘T’ shape in black. Each ray has a unique spot pattern on its underside, similar to a human fingerprint, which allows scientists to identify individuals. Mantas have large gill plates, which have two structures fused to them called cephalic lobes. These cephalic lobes help to channel plankton-rich water into their mouths while feeding. Mantas have a range of different feeding behaviours, including performing somersaults, known as barrel rolling and creating feeding chains with other mantas, which maximises food intake.
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