The Maldives is home to some of the largest congregations of manta rays in the world. In Maldives there are several conservation projects dedicated to these majestic marine creatures. Most notably is the Maldivian Manta Ray Project (MMRP), the founding project of the UK-registered charity “Manta Trust”. Manta Trust has been working since 2011 to coordinate global research on mobulids. It is committing to the conservation of mantas through several initiatives, including the possibility for residents and tourists to “adopt” a manta ray!

Although is important to tell you about the conservation and protection of these animals, we also want to let you know some curiosities about the manta rays and rays of the Maldives.

1. Manta rays have truly enormous brains
Their brains are disproportionately large when compared to their body weight. The weight of a mantas’ brain is more comparable to that of a similar-sized mammal and also much larger than the brains of similar-sized fish. Mantas also have a network of blood vessels called the rete mirabile or “wonderful net”, which surrounds their brain case. This helps mantas to keep the brain warm when they dive to depths of over 750m, where temperatures rapidly decrease.

2. Manta rays can get really big
Manta rays are known as some of the largest megafauna, weighing up to 1,350 kg with an average wingspan of 7m. However, giant oceanic manta rays are different from the reef manta rays found in Maldivian waters. The largest wingspan ever recorded for a manta ray was 9.14 m. Reef manta rays, which we usually see here, can grow up to 4.8 m, but the average commonly observed size is around 3.3 m.

3. The manta never stops swimming
Manta rays are a group of fish that must constantly move to keep breathing. You will never find a manta that is not swimming. The swimming motion is what allows oxygen-rich water to pass through their gills and allow them to breathe. Sharks are similar in that they continue to move throughout their lives. Manta rays often wave their “wings” underwater, staying in one place but still moving to get oxygen.

4. Are they trying to fly?
We now know that manta rays can dive deep, but sometimes they also try to fly. Or so it seems, because manta rays often leap out of the water as well. Scientists aren’t sure exactly why they do this. The sight of hundreds of manta rays leaping out of the water like a pod of dolphins is quite a sight to behold. It’s speculated that this could be a mating ritual, where the males want to show off to the females, or that it could be a way to clean themselves of parasites. It could also be a way for them to communicate with each other, or, much more simply, to have fun playing in the waves.

5. Manta rays have real groups of friends
Not only do manta rays make friends with humans due to their curious nature, they also make friends with each other. Manta rays, especially females, are known to form friend groups where they travel in groups to cleaning and feeding stations. Interestingly, they usually have two different friend groups: one for grooming and another for feeding. Males like to frequent feeding stations. Females, who are more likely to create social structures, prefer cleaning stations. Female groups last longer while the “feeding group” is a separate group with males, females, and calves.

6. Manta rays love to be cleaned
If you didn’t know, manta rays are very clean. They love to have their whole bodies cleaned. They often go to the same cleaning stations and rely on the cleaner fish for hours to remove all the parasites and dirt. Manta rays return to their favorite cleaning stations over and over again, for years and years. They are also very well behaved. They make a small civilised queue and wait patiently for their turn at the cleaning stations.

7. Manta rays have super powers
Like Wolverine, manta rays also have the superpower to heal from attacks by enemies such as sharks. A shark bite can be quite large. As the body of manta rays is made of cartilage and after several visits to cleaning stations, where small fish are always ready to clean their body of parasites, their wounds are able to heal completely, regenerating new cartilage.

8. Manta rays are fish but give birth like mammals
The process of giving birth to a baby is very unique. The babies actually develop inside a shell, which hatches inside the mother’s body and out pops a live young, bringing them into the world like many mammals. Sometimes the birth occurs just as the mother jumps out of the water! The babies have to fend for themselves from the moment they are born, as female manta rays do not raise their young.

9. Manta Ray Day
World Manta Ray Day is September 17th. It is celebrated to raise awareness of the importance of conserving these marine creatures and to promote actions to protect their habitat. On this day, events and activities are organized around the world to educate people about manta rays and their role in marine ecosystems. The aim is to encourage everyone to contribute to their protection, both through individual and collective actions, such as reducing plastic use, choosing sustainable seafood, and supporting organizations that work for marine conservation.

10.They have fingerprints
Well yes! Manta rays have fingerprints and like us humans, theirs are unique for each individual. These are the little black spots they have on their belly, they vary in shape (even if most are round) and in number, no manta has them the same and they are one of the methods that marine biologists use to identify them even after years.

There is always more to learn. We hope that our 10 curiosities about manta rays revealed something new for you.

Manta ray season has begun, pack your bags ;) and plan a visit.