11/14/2022 0 Comments Manta ray urban explorer![]() Giant manta rays are found all over the world. Smaller than adults, whose wingspan stretches up to almost 9 meters, or about four and a half queen-sized beds, babies were only 3 meters in diameter. Most of those manta rays turned out to be juveniles of the giant manta ray, M. They identified 59 total individuals, some of which had been photographed several times. The scientists then analyzed all the pictures to identify individual manta rays. When they spotted one gliding through the waters, a snorkeler descended into the waters, equipped with an underwater camera to snap a few shots. And this is where a dedicated team of scientists from Marine Megafauna Foundation, CA, decided to search for manta rays.įor two and a half years, the scientists set out in a boat along the shores of southeastern Florida, searching for manta rays. The tropical and subtropical waters of southeastern Florida fit this lifestyle perfectly. Manta rays prefer warm waters where they feed on smaller fish and krill. Protecting those areas can help nurture the species back into abundance. To help the species survive, it is critical to know where manta rays nurseries are in the coastal water. Because they reproduce and mature so slowly, they can’t replenish their dwindling population fast enough. They are fished for their gill plates and suffer from vessel collisions. Giant manta rays are considered a vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The part of southwestern Florida coast along with the third ever manta ray nursery was discovered. But only two such nurseries had been discovered – until now. Until then, they need a safe haven where they can be shielded from many ocean predators, like sharks, to ensure survival until adulthood. Pups take several years to grow into mature manta rays. Unlike most of their scaled and torpedo-shaped cousins who lay eggs, mantas only give birth to live babies, called pups, once every few years for up to 40 years. Manta rays are very unusual fish – even more so with their flat, diamond-shaped bodies, lack of scales, and swimming behavior that mimics a bird more than a fish. But why do manta rays even have nurseries – and how can scientists find more of them? Water babies In this watery habitat, young manta rays spend their early years, until they mature and are ready to disperse into the rest of the ocean. This newly found manta ray nursery stretches between West Palm Beach and Boynton Beach, north of Miami, neighboring a heavily developed urban area. Now, it looks like another manta ray nursery has been mapped out. Only two such nurseries have been discovered so far, one in the Gulf of Mexico off the Texas coast and the other in Indonesia. Instead, they tend to congregate in nurseries near the coast, which offer protection from predators. Young manta rays are a rare find in the open ocean. Endangered Species Research, 43, 51-64. Urban manta rays: potential manta ray nursery habitat along a highly developed Florida coastline. Only two other manta ray nurseries had ever been identified in the entire world – talk about trying to find a daycare! But why do manta rays have nurseries – and how can we find more? Great news! Scientists discovered lots of cute baby manta rays off the Floridian coast. ![]()
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