![]() Given their size, they have very few natural predators. But if it’s time to eat, they stretch and help push the water into the mouth so that the food is introduced. These structures are called cephalic lobes or ridges, and remain coiled when manta rays are swimming. What are the “horns” they have in their head used for? Scientists believe they are long-lived species that live at least 40 years. Today its population continues to decline due to overfishing in some regions of the world such as the Philippines and western Mexico. – What are its main threats?įishing, whether directed or incidental. The maximum weight is that of the giant manta ray that reaches up to 1,350 kilograms, but can occasionally exceed this figure. These fish have a low birth rate because each female is usually 1 offspring and rarely have 2. The hatching occurs within the body and then the young are born alive and independent. Manta rays are ovoviviparous, i.e., the male fertilizes the female transferring its sperm through the female’s cloaca. It is the giant manta ray, which can grow to nine meters wide. – What is the largest species of manta ray? ![]() Of course, if disturbed they can react and attack, like any wild animal. If a human being is near them they don’t try to attack. No, because they lack a poisonous sting in the tail. They have gills by absorbing oxygen dissolved in the water, like all other fish. Often they are found in reefs around groups of islands and atolls. They are widely distributed in tropical, subtropical and temperate waters of the Pacific and Indian oceans and to a lesser extent in the Atlantic. They introduce water in their mouth and it is filtered by the gill rakers of their gills. This means they feed on plankton, tiny aquatic creatures. They belong to the group of chondrichthyans, fish with skeleton made of cartilage rather than bone. Until 2009 they were considered a single species, but at present they are recognized as 2: reef manta ( Manta alfredi) and the giant manta ray ( Manta birostris). How many species of manta ray are there?
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |