Experience Tumblr Like Never Before
Do you have any manta ray info you'd like to share? Or any other type of sea critter you're intrigued by? :3
Manta Ray facts!!!
Their wingspan can be up to 30 feet across and they can weigh up to two tons!
Despite their massive size, they can leap nearly 10 feet out of the water (imagine having one of those flying through the air at you)
Every manta has a unique pattern of spots on their underbelly, which has long been used to id individuals as it was considered as unique and unchanging as a fingerprint. However, new evidence suggests that the pattern can shift as the manta ages, meaning we may have been counting the same individuals more than once, overestimating their population.
They have long been hunted for their gill plates, which apparently have medicinal properties, but sadly the species are now threatened due to overharvesting and other human activity.
Mantas are high intelligent, potentially one of the smartest fish in the ocean! They are extremely curious of humans and frequently interact with divers, and can even recognize themselves in a mirror!