Manta Ray

The Manta ray is the largest of all species of ray and can reach up to 9 m across and weigh almost 3 tonnes. What characterises this docile and inoffensive planktivorous creature is naturally its two large fins or "wings". Its black back contrasts with its white belly, which contains five pairs of gills. It has two particularly impressive horns at the front of its head which have earned it the name of the "Sea Devil". Their purpose is to drive water toward its mouth to filter it to enable the creature to feed on the plankton it contains. Extremely graceful, the Manta ray lives in groups of several individuals and can sometimes be approached by divers.