Featured Image Credit: Facebook Video via Ryzone Media
Off the coast of Hawaii, a small group of three manta rays were filmed gliding and dancing along the turquoise ocean waters. The video proves just how humungous and graceful these gentle giants are.
Believe it or not, only a few aquariums are able to house these big guys due to their size, and they are actually extremely difficult to study because they are seen so rarely. Which is why this video is such a treat – so enjoy!
Here are some amazing facts about manta rays!
- The word “manta” is Spanish for blanket. Can you guess why they are named after a blanket?
- Other stingrays prefer digging through the bottom of the sea, but manta rays always cruise the open ocean and only get close to the sea bed to get cleaned.
- Manta rays have the largest brain to body weight ratio of any living fish. This gives these gentle giants enough smarts to make the average dolphin jealous!
- Manta rays can be individually identified by the markings and spots on the their underside.
- The manta ray and the devil ray are extremely similar, but are actually two different species.
- Mantas pop out little pups every other year. The relatively slow reproduction rate makes them vulnerable to overfishing.
- Manta rays can sometimes be seen leaping out of the water like flying saucers. The reason behind this behavior is still a mystery to scientists.
- Despite its massive size, manta rays are completely harmless to humans with a non-functioning tail spine and 300 useless little teeth.
- The closest you will get to a guaranteed sighting is Lady Elliot Island in Queensland, Australia during winter when mantas congregate in the hundreds.
- Larger manta rays can reach up to 23 feet, while smaller species can reach up to 18 feet!