{"id":2544,"date":"2007-07-30T14:40:00","date_gmt":"2007-07-30T14:40:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/whalewatchingazores.com\/blog\/2007\/07\/30\/manta-ray-fact-shee\/"},"modified":"2020-03-10T11:35:28","modified_gmt":"2020-03-10T12:35:28","slug":"manta-ray-fact-shee","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/whalewatchingazores.com\/blog\/manta-ray-fact-shee\/","title":{"rendered":"Manta ray fact sheet"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Manta birostris |\u00a0<\/em>Manta ray<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mantas are the largest species of the rays and are closely related to mobula rays. Their distribution is circumglobal, mostly throughout tropical and subtropical waters, although they can also be found in temperate waters. Their tail is similar to that of stingrays, except that they have lost their stinger, making them safe to dive with. An average-sized manta ray is estimated to filter 20 – 30 kg of planton per day. The cephalic fins on the head uncurl and help guide food into the mouth. Mantas have about 300 ros of peg-like teeth that are not sued for feeding and are often indistinguishable from the denticles (scales) inside the mouth. The peg-like teeth may\u00a0play a role in courtship and mating. Mantas can be seen leaping out of the water, which may be a display, a quick escape from predators or a way of ridding their skin of parasites. Mantas are threatened by fisheries pressure due to a growing market for manta gill rakers. A mature manta can yield up to 7 kg of dried gills that retail for as much as US$500\/kg in Asian markets. Manta rays are listed as “vulnerable” on the IUCN redlist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Length:\u00a0<\/strong>
\u2022\u00a0Adult: 4 m (maximum 6.7 m)
\u2022\u00a0Pup:\u00a01.2 m<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weight:\u00a0<\/strong>
\u2022 Average:\u00a01,350 kg
\u2022 Maximum 2,400 kg<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Global population:\u00a0<\/strong>Unknown<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Status:<\/strong>\u00a0Vulnerable (population decreasing)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diet:\u00a0<\/strong>Plankton, small fish and fish larvae<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teeth:\u00a0<\/strong>18 rows in the lower jaw<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Longevity:\u00a0<\/strong>c.25 years<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Breeding size:<\/strong>
\u2022\u00a0Male:\u00a03.6 – 3.8 m
\u2022\u00a0Female:\u00a03.8 – 4 m<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other languages<\/strong>
Portuguese:\u00a0Manta
French: Manta
German:\u00a0Manta rochen
Danish:\u00a0Dj\u00e6vlerokke
Finnish:\u00a0Paholaisrausku<\/p>\n\n\n\n