Other Definitions
manta ray (dict)
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Manta Ray
The manta ray, or giant manta, is the largest of the ray family ranging up to eight meters (25 ft) across its pectoral fins or "wings" and weighing up 3,000 kg (3 tons). It ranges throughout the tropical seas of the world, typically around coral reefs. Black above and white below are the most common colours, but some mantas are blue on their back. The eyes of the manta are on the top of their heads, and their nostrils and mouth are on the belly. To breathe, the manta has two sets of five gills on their underside, and holes just behind the eyes called spiracles. The manta can alternate which is used for inhaling and exhaling. With distinctive "horns" (also called cremoriol fins) on either side of its broad head, the manta is a prized sighting by divers. Mantas eat plankton and small fish, but really anything that fits in its mouth could end up being swallowed. Taxonomically the situation of the mantas is still under investigation. Three species have been identified: Manta birostris, Manta ehrenbergii, and Manta raya, but they are quite similar to each other, and the last two may just be isolated populations, slightly different through evolution over time. Mantas have been given a variety of common names, including Atlantic manta, Pacific manta, devil ray, devilfish, and just manta. Some people just call all members of the family stingrays.
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