GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Manta rays are the largest rays and are closely related to sharks. These harmless rays have a short tail and no stinging spine. They are very acrobatic; they can even leap from the water. Remoras (Echeneida) are frequently seen with mantas, staying near the manta's mouth (even inside the gill cavities). The remoras probably feed on parasites on the manta's body and eat bits of the manta's food.

SIZE
These graceful swimmers are up to 29.5 ft (9 m) wide, but average about 22 ft (6.7 m) wide. The largest weigh about 3,000 pounds (1350 kg).

COLOR
Mantas are dark brown to black on top with paler margins; they are mostly white underneath.

DIET AND FEEDING HABITS
Mantas eat microscopic plankton, small fish, and tiny crustaceans. They funnel the food into their mouth while they swim, using two large, flap-like cephalic lobes which extend forward from the eyes.

TEETH
Mantas have no teeth; they sieve their food.

SOCIAL GROUPS
Mantas are solitary creatures.

HABITAT
Mantas swim in tropical seas, living both close to shore and in open seas.

DISTRIBUTION
Mantas are common and are found worldwide

SWIMMING
Mantas are graceful swimmers. They swim by moving their pectoral fins up and down.

REPRODUCTION
Mantas reproduces via aplacental viviparity. Females give birth to a one or two pups which are about 45 inches (1.2 m) wide and weigh roughly twenty pounds (45 kg). Young mantas grow very rapidly.

MANTA RAY ATTACKS
Mantas are harmless to people and usually indifferent to divers.

LIFE SPAN
Unknown.

MANTA RAY PRINTOUT
Manta ray printout for elementary school students.