#flatsharks

Do you know how to tell the difference between an Oceanic manta ray (Manta birostris) and a Reef manta ray (Manta alfredi)? Reef mantas are the smaller of the two species, with a disc width of 5 meters or less compared to the disc width of an oceanic manta that can reach up to 7 meters, and is the largest ray in the world.(Oceana) Reef mantas also have a predominantly white underside aside from their spots while oceanic mantas are much darker.(Mantamatcher) It’s important to be able to distinguish the difference if you are ever diving with a manta and take a photo identification for research, or if you just want to be able to know what you’re seeing on a dive! Post by: @morganmarie13 #Repost @sharkeducation ・・・ Check out this stunning black manta ray. Both species of manta present 3 color morphs: this black morph, chevron (the classic manta pattern), and leucism. These leucitic mantas have less pigment than usual, and can look very white. They are not albino, as they still have some pigment (their eyes aren’t red). They might have some black on their tops, and very faded markings on their bellies. They are simply much much paler than a normally colored manta.⠀ .⠀ 📸 @bigfishexpeditions⠀ .⠀ Info from Diviac Magazine⠀ #mantas #rays #mantarays #flatsharks #black #sharkeducation #amazing #animals #ocean #wildlife #underwater #photography 💙💙💙💙💙💙💙 #Repost @mantatrust ・・・ WHAT THE DEVIL? It's not just manta rays . . we work to research & protect the devil ray species around the world too – like this spinetail devil ray.⠀ ⠀ In general, devil rays are much smaller than manta rays and when they roll up their cephalic fins they look like horns – hence the name ‘devil rays’. ⠀ ⠀ Manta and devil rays are collectively known as mobulids - there are two (possibly three) manta species and eight devil ray species. ⠀ ⠀ Sadly due to the increasing international trade in mobulid gill plates, many devil ray species numbers have drastically dropped and some are being fished to near extinction - something we are working hard to change before it's too late.⠀ ⠀ Find out more about mobulids by visiting our website. See the link in our bio. ⠀ #devilrays #mantarays #mobulids (at OneOcean Diving) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz85hgmHIDJ/?igshid=4twpb2sfvhre

#Repost @saveoursharksnl with @repostapp ・・・ The giant manta ray is one of the species that occurs in the Dutch Caribbean. It's the largest ray species reaching a staggering wing span of up to 23 feet! Picture by Arturo de Frias Marques #manta #rays #mantabirostris #giants #marinelife #wednesdaywisdom #sharkfacts #flatsharks

Species Profile No.11: the Giant Devil Ray (Mobula mobular) • The Giant Devil Ray is a large species of ray. Do they look familiar? At first glance, many people mistake them for manta rays, which they are closely related to. Mantas and giant devil rays are both part of the mobula family, which is also called the devil ray family. They are called devil rays due to their flap-like mouth fins, called cephalic fins, look like devil horns. They use their cephalic fins to funnel plankton, small fish, and fish eggs into their mouth - all mobula rays are filter feeders, just like whale sharks! Giant devil rays are also one of the only mobula rays that have a spine on their tail. • Giant devil rays are globally listed as Endangered, with severely fragmented populations. They only give birth to one pup at a time, but it is unknown how long their gestation is. They are suspected to become sexually mature at around 20 years of age, based on the maturation rate of similar species, such as manta rays. This slow reproduction rate makes them sensitive to overfishing. • Most people know about the shark fin trade, but few are aware of the demand for the gill plates of large ray species, which are used in traditional medicine. This trade impacts giant devil rays, as there are a few fisheries that target them directly. They are also killed as bycatch as the result of unsustainable fishing practices like driftnets. They are also susceptible to boat traffic and ingesting microplastics. • Giant devil rays are protected by several quotas and protection listings, including CITES Appendix II. The IUCN has recommended that they be given more protection of this nature. They also benefit from bans on unsustainable fishing practices in several areas. It is unknown how effective these measures have been. • To help obscure species like the giant devil ray, please support Shark Advocates International and the IUCN Shark Specialist Group. •••••••••••••••••••••• #flatsharkfriday #flatsharks #rays #mobularay #mobula #devilray #giantdevilray #savesharks #savethesharks #helpsavesharks #stopoverfishing #endangeredspecies #endangered #conservation #marinelife https://www.instagram.com/p/Bq1AbFflCMG/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=5rmkl7xmqtyv

I'm going to be honest here: this has been the most frustrating bio I have come to write so far... and that's saying a lot since I have some bio's that basically say, "We know what it looks like and where we caught it. That's it, good night." The reason this particular bio was so frustrating is not that I'm up at 11:30pm writing it, but because Rhynchobatus djiddensis is actually FOUR SPECIES. Cue frustrated scream here. Learn all about them here: https://www.finsunited.co.nz/bite-blog/giant-wedgefish Photo credit: Andy Murch

Here’s a commission we did for Shelby Norris on Twitter! This art features a female cownose ray named Cora. • If you’ve ever been to an aquarium, you’ve probably seen a cownose ray! These guys are a common sight in aquarium display tanks, as well exhibits that allow you to touch stingrays. • Cownose rays are targeted by fisheries on Central and South America. They are also seen as pests by shellfish fisheries, and are often killed because of that. They are listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN. ••••••••••••••••••••••• #cownoseray #cownose #eagleray #ray #stingray #elasmobranch #flatsharks #art #conservation #education #sharkeducation

There are very few scenes in nature more tranquil than a stingray flying over a sandy seafloor. #flatsharks #stingrays #elasmo #elasmobrachii #elasmobranchs #naturesbeauty #divingwithsharks #diving #scuba #girlsthatdive #conservationthroughart #conservation #sharkresearch #southernstingray