While not a lot of people know this, there are a lot of strange and unique types of rays out there in the world. Some of them are small; others are gigantic, but they all look a little like their cousins.
Bluespotted ribbontail ray
The bluespotted ribbontail ray lives in coral reefs, usually near the shore. They are listed as Least Concerned and can be found in the tropical Indian and Western Pacific Oceans in depths varying from 0 to up to 30 m (100 ft.). With their relatively small size of 35 cm (14 in) in width, they are the smallest on this list. They form groups that together wait for the tide to rise and then follow it so that they can find easier food to eat, like invertebrates and bony fish in the sediment. Later, when the waters start to move from the shore, they scatter and individually go into their shelters in the reefs.
Shark ray
Shark rays, also known as bowmouth guitarfish or mud skates, are the rarest species on this list, with an estimated population size of 334 individuals as of 2017. They are listed as Critically Endangered and can be found in the tropical coastal waters of the Indo-Pacific at depths of up to 90 m (300 ft.). Looking like a shark, they have white spots on their upper parts and can get to around 2.7 m (8.9 ft.) and a weight of 135 kg (298 lb.). They live mostly on the sea floor in muddy and sandy areas near underwater structures. Shark rays are excellent predators, feasting on bony fish, crustaceans, and mollusks.
Giant Oceanic Manta ray
They are the largest species of rays in the world and the second-most endangered species on this list. Found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world, these giants can grow up to a maximum of 9 m (30 ft.) in length, while their average size is only 4.5 m (15 ft.), and they can weigh up to about 3,000 kg (6,600 lb.). Giant manta rays can be found at depths as low as 200 to 450 meters and are capable of diving to depths exceeding 1,000 meters, while when feeding, they often get near the surface at times even at depths lower than 10 meters. They are filter feeders and eat mainly plankton and, rarely, some small fish that they inhale.
Spotted eagle ray
They are found globally in tropical regions, including the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. Like many other manta rays, the spotted eagle ray has been spotted jumping out of water. They are classified as Nearly Threatened by the IUCN and can be found in all kinds of depths from 0 to 79 m (260 ft.). Scavenging the bottom of the water, they eat gastropods, mollusks and crabs. With a maximum length of 5 meters (16.4 ft.), including the tail, and a weight of 203 kg (507 lbs.).
So that was it! – Now you know all about rays. I hope you learned a lot regarding the spectacular wildlife on our planet with The Wildlife Echo!
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