Snorkeling or diving in the Maldives you might encounter these two species: the devil ray and the manta alfredi. Though similar at first glance these gentle giants possess distinct characteristics that set them apart.

Devil Ray
A devil ray is often mistaken for a baby manta. At 1,2m in width when fully grown they are still much smaller than a manta alfredi. The manta alfredi pup already has a wingspan of 2m. The cephalic fins when rolled up look like horns, hence the name devil ray. The lower jaw of a devil ray is located much further back then the upper. The manta alfredi has evenly aligned jaws and a large mouth at the front of the head. Their coloration is dark brown above and white below. Their tail is shorter than their body and there is no tail spine. The dorsal fin often has a white tip.

Behaviour
Devil rays can be found in schools of 3 – 20 individuals cruising along the outer Atoll reef. Sometimes they gather in super schools of over 100 individuals when the rays come together during the mating season. They often leap out of the water during courtship rituals.

On rare occasions we have seen manta alfredi leap out of the water but usually they tend to have a more serene demeanor, gracefully gliding through the water in search of food. Manta alfredi live close to coral reefs forming aggregations around cleaning stations and feeding sites.

Manta Alfredi
The Maldives are home to 5000 recorded manta alfredi. This is the world’s largest known population. The manta alfredi, also called the reef manta, presents a bigger silhouette, typically spanning around 4m. They are usually black on the back with distinct shoulder patches and white bellies with black spots. The black spots are unique to each individual, basically like our thumbprints. During the manta season from May to November in the UNESCO Biosphere Baa Atoll we get to see plenty of manta alfredi while snorkeling at Hanifaru Bay.

Despite their dissimilarities devil ray und manta alfredi share a fundamental trait: their gentle nature.

Devil rays and manta alfredi are iconic creatures reminding us of the importance of preserving these magnificent animals for generations to come.

On your next encounter you can hopefully tell both species apart.