Shore Buddies Wisdom Wednesday 05/12/2021
Photo by @marina_oceanlove
Both Stingrays and Manta Rays have flat body shapes and wide pectoral fins. Unlike Stingrays, Manta Rays do not have a barb, or stinger, on their tails. Additionally, Stingrays live on the floors of the ocean while Manta Rays inhabit the open ocean. The mouths of Manta Rays are on the front edge of their bodies while mouths of Stingrays are on the undersides of their bodies. Manta Rays are also generally much larger than Stingrays, with the largest species reaching up 29 feet long. However, there the Giant Freshwater Stingray can reach the size of some Manta Rays, reaching up to 16 feet in length. This species of Stingray lives in the Greater Mekong. Manta Rays are very smart creatures and scientists are currently researching whether or not they have the ability to be self-aware. Stingrays are much more aggressive than Manta Rays and will go into defense mode when they are threatened, using their stingers to protect themselves.