Reef manta ray

The Giant Oceanic Manta Ray (Mobula birostris) is a species of ray in the family Mobulidae, and the largest type of ray in the world. They are circumglobal and are typically found in tropical and subtropical waters, but can also be found in temperate waters. Until 2017, giant mantas were classified in the genus Manta, along with the smaller reef manta (Mobula alfredi). DNA testing revealed that both species are more closely related to rays of the genus Mobula than previously thought. As a…

Lewis Burnett's powerful photographs of a saltwater crocodile, Risso's dolphins and a reef manta ray are part of a collection that won him the Portfolio prize in the 2023 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year competition

More than 95 percent of the ocean deep remains unexplored by mankind, shrouded in mystery and folklore. It’s only been in recent years that we’ve realized the extent to which we have destroyed marine life, but with growing concern over the fate of our planet’s water, we’ve also come to know and to protect some of the most rare and exquisite species on the planet.

Last month, Indonesia established the world’s largest sanctuary for manta rays -- those enormous, finned fortresses that can reach nearly 30 feet across. For the first time, manta ray hunting and export is banned within the entire 2.3 million square miles of Indonesia’s exclusive economic zone.

Photograph by @thomaspeschak A whale shark and manta ray collide during a mass feeding event in the Hanifaru marine reserve in the Maldives. Unpublished image from my @natgeo magazine Manta Ray story. @natgeocreative @thephotosociety For more photographs of rare underwater encounters check out my Instagram feed @thomaspeschak

Underwater photography. Manta Rays

The reef manta ray (Mobula alfredi) comes second after the giant oceanic manta ray in terms of size and prefers shallow water and coastal habitat unlike the latter. The fish fit in the family Mobulidae, popular to Indo-Pacific tropical and subtropical waters and also east and the western Atlantic. Reef Manta Rays have a total width between 9.83’-11.5’ (3-3.5 m) and overall body length of 5’-5.75’ (1.52-1.75 m). The typical weight of the Reef Manta Ray is in the range of 1,543-3,086 lb…