Page 76 - It Can't Be True! Animals! - Unbelievable Facts About Amazing Animals (DK)

Swimming

with rays

With a wingspan up to 9 m (29 ft), the giant
oceanic manta ray is the world’s largest ray. These
gentle giants glide through tropical, subtropical,
and warm temperate waters all around the world.
Among the cleverest creatures on Earth, they have
the largest brain of any fish and can even recognize
their own reflection in a mirror.
Giant manta rays have long been hunted for their
gill plates, which are used in Chinese medicine, and
their sheer size means that they are easily caught in
fishing nets. This has reduced the global population
of giant rays by one third in just three generations,
making the species vulnerable to extinction.

Giant manta rays give birth to one

pup every two to three years and

may live for up to 40 years.

However, ecotourism is changing attitudes, aided by
what conservationists call “manta-nomics”. In Peru,
fishermen know the rays are now
worth more alive than dead.
Rather than fishing, they take
tourists out on their boats
to observe and swim with
the rays. Moreover, it is
illegal today in many places
C O N S E R VAT I O N to capture, sell, or eat the
rare giant manta ray.

Naturally curious
Each ray displays its own personality,
BACK · FROM · THE · BRINK
but they share a curiosity and love of
swimming alongside deep-sea divers.

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