Manta Ray

The largest of the rays, the manta ray is a cartilaginous fish and a relative of the shark. Called the devil ray or sting ray, manta rays are harmless to humans and do not sting. Because of their large size, sharks are their only predators. Manta rays live in temperate and tropical waters near continents and island groups. Cruising near the ocean’s surface, the manta ray uses the two lobes near its eyes to guide plankton, tiny fish, and small crustaceans into its mouth. Manta rays are elegant and acrobatic swimmers. Swimming underwater they look like a slow-moving bird in flight, and they are also known to leap out from the water.