What is a stingray barb ?

The manta ray, or giant manta ray, is one of the many aquatic giants to be found in the ocean. They belong to the shark family, but are not as dangerous as sharks - although they can weigh up to 1,400 kilograms! Some can even reach up to nine metres in length. 

The manta ray is one of the largest species in the world, belonging to the order Myliobatiformes. Unlike the more common species of this order, such as stingrays, manta rays lack the traditional venomous sting on their tails. This makes them relatively harmless.

These titans of the sea inhabit temperate waters, so you may find them anywhere in the world. Their diet is based on marine plankton, as well as small fish and squid. If you see a wild manta ray, you will probably also encounter the famous remoras. These are small marine animals that stick to the underside of the manta rays, feeding on the leftovers of the manta rays' food while receiving protection from the larger animals. Sharks are also often accompanied by remoras!

A truly amazing thing about manta rays is that, like dolphins, orcas, whales and sharks, they can jump out of the water. Yet another remarkable aspect of the manta ray is that it lacks a skeleton, unlike vertebrate animals. This is precisely why it can perform such great feats of acrobatics. 

Manta rays are known to be able to perform two different types of jump, namely somersaults and forward leaps, landing on their heads or tails.

Manta rays do not perform these leaps to entertain human onlookers, but rather to protect themselves and escape from predators. They may also jump to shake off remoras or even to communicate with other manta rays. The sound produced when a stingray hits the water is very distinctive and can even be heard by others from several miles away.

In the case of males, they also perform characteristic acrobatics in the air as part of their courtship ritual. Through leaping, a male manta ray is able to demonstrate strength and agility to prospective mates.

It is very important to understand that manta rays are not the same as stingrays. Although there may be confusion between them, because, at first glance, they look similar, stingrays and manta rays are actually quite different. And why is this important? Because stingrays, unlike manta rays, are poisonous.

The manta ray's fins are separate from the body and the mouth is found at the very front of their body. Moreover, their dimensions are staggering: they can reach up to nine metres! They feed on plankton and usually swim on the surface.

Stingrays, on the other hand, have a diamond-shaped body and their mouth is on the underside. They are much smaller than manta rays, measuring barely two metres. Stingrays swim on the seabed, close to the bottom, their diet is based on crustaceans and they have a poisonous sting.

Giant oceanic manta ray

The Mobula birostris or giant oceanic manta ray usually lives in tropical and subtropical waters. This type can reach a length of up to nine metres and weighs up to 2,400 kilograms. They have cephalic lobes on their heads, a sort of horn that helps them to feed. Manta rays are filter feeders, straining their food through their mouths! This type of manta ray has the largest brain in the marine kingdom - roughly the size of a primate's!

Reef stingrays

The Mobula Alfredi is the second largest manta ray after the oceanic manta ray. This type of ray inhabits the waters of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. It does not usually live in the deep sea, and prefers to swim closer to the surface.

Blue spots on a manta ray?

There is one species of manta ray that is exceptionally striking. This is the blue-spotted stingray. It is a type of reef stingray and its scientific name is Taeniura Lymma. Its body is green to grey in colour, it is covered with blue spots distributed along the surface, and generally found in coral reefs! You can visit this type of manta ray at Marineland or you may be lucky enough to spot it in the waters of America, Asia and Oceania.

Watch out! The tail of this beautiful stingray contains venom.

The leopard ray

This stingray, also known as the reticulated whip ray, is characterised by its striking skin, which resembles the coat of a leopard! It weighs around 120 kilograms and is two metres long. This type has no barbs or spines. It is also a reef stingray and, in addition to being found at Marineland, its natural habitat is in the Red Sea, Mediterranean, Africa, Polynesia, Australia and Taiwan.

American whip ray

The american whip ray, native to Central America and the Caribbean, can weigh up to 135 kg. It is quite small compared to other rays. It can live in the marine substrate thanks to its cartilaginous body and usually buries itself in the sea floor. It has a row of large spines or barbs on its back that extend all the way to its tail for protection.

You can learn more about stingrays at Marineland!