Giant Manta Ray - Friend Or Foe?

Giant mantra ray is a ‘predator of the deep’, scientists have claimed.

17:44 01 December 2016

Scientists have found that giant mantra ray, known to feed on zooplankton, is in fact a ‘predator of the deep” preying on fish and other animals. Also known as a gentle leviathan, it is thought to feed on tiny floating animals at the surface. However, a new study suggests that it could also be getting its food from the depths. 

 

Lead researcher Dr Katherine Burgess said: "This was a big surprise,"  

 

"We sometimes see manta rays feeding in surface waters so have always assumed this is where they were getting most of their food from.

 

"But results from our latest study show that these are just snacking events, and their main source of diet comes from somewhere else - most likely the deep sea [below 200m (650ft)]."

 

Based on the biochemical tests conducted by researchers at the University of Queensland, 73per cent of the ray’s meals were from about 200-1,000m below the ocean surface. 

 

"We still think that manta rays feed predominantly on plankton (specifically zooplankton)," Dr Burgess said.

 

"Just we think the plankton they rely on do not live in surface waters.

 

"Which is why we rarely see these giant mantas feeding during the day in Ecuador."