Manta or giant sea devil. Monkfish (anglerfish)

One of the largest and legendary creatures of the underwater kingdom is the "sea devil" fish. In size, it is inferior to some whales, but not a single larger representative of this superclass of aquatic vertebrates has been found in the depths of the seas and oceans. And already the championship in myths and superstitions, debunked only recently, it has been holding for many centuries.

The discovery of the "sea devil"

For the first time, Johann Wahlbaum, a German zoologist, doctor and naturalist, described and named this animal. He called it Raja birostris; and it happened, by historical standards, not so long ago - in 1792. It should be noted that the history of these is the most confusing and vague, in comparison with other living beings: in two centuries they were given 25 specific “names” and a dozen generic ones. IN modern science the name Manta birostris is recognized. Until recently, it was believed that the "sea devil" fish is the only representative of giant manta rays. However, in 2009, another species, Manta alfredi, was isolated, which has significant differences in appearance, both in development and morphology, but similar in size, nutrition and lifestyle.

Legends and myths

The fish "sea devil" (photo above) got its nickname because of the peculiar shape of the head fins - with them it directs food into the mouth. From the side they look like horns; and given the considerable size of the individual, it is not surprising that she inspired fear in sea travelers. The Europeans, sailing in tropical waters, believed that if they angered the devil fish, it would sink the ship, and would chase after it with unquenchable malice and perseverance. In southeast Asia, meeting a manta ray meant (and still means) imminent troubles and big troubles. There was an opinion that a huge flat body serves as a mante to envelop the unfortunate prey in order to absorb it (according to another version - crushing if a person insulted the monster with something).

Fish "sea devil": description

The stingray has huge diamond-shaped pectoral fins - in large specimens, their span reaches seven meters. In front, they pass into the head fins, between which there is a wide mouth. The eyes are located on the sides, and the gills - in the form of slits - from the bottom of the head. The back of the sea devil is dark (black or thick gray), the belly is light. Moreover, a scattering of spots is obligatory on it. It is noteworthy that their number and location are strictly individual - like human fingerprints. As for weight, a large individual sometimes reaches two and a half tons ...

life in the ocean

No matter what they say, no matter what scary stories no matter what, the “sea devil” fish feeds like whales - plankton and small crustaceans. For this purpose, her mouth is equipped with a special apparatus for straining food, consisting of gill plates. Given the size of the manta, it is not surprising that she is forced to eat almost continuously.

The natural enemies of these creatures are killer whales and big sharks. They attack adults only if they are wounded and sick, but actively hunt for cubs.

Unlike most mantas, they are inhabitants of the upper water layers. On the great depth they never go down.

Manta breeding

For procreation giant stingrays sail to the coast of Mozambique. Their mating season is in November. At this time, dozens of representatives of the "sea devil" species can be observed there. The description of their courtship, provided by many ocean scientists and recreational divers, characterizes this process as a very beautiful sight. Males follow the female ready for conception in a whole string, and at high speeds, usually not characteristic of manta rays. The female "sea devil" gives birth to only one offspring; cases of twins are very rare. In the initial stages after hatching, the cub remains inside the mother and feeds. After birth, the “sea devil” fish is a meter and a quarter long and weighs about ten kilograms. A newborn baby follows its mother everywhere. The female brings offspring irregularly - there are breaks in two and three years.

danger of extinction

As already mentioned, the "sea devil" fish has no serious natural enemies. But for her, a person is deadly. The meat and liver of this are considered culinary delicacy, and the Chinese are also widely used in medicine. It is Chinese anglers who actively exterminate the devil fish, visiting the Mozambican coast in November. Considering how slowly the giant stingrays breed, and the fact that this is the place they have chosen for mating, it can be argued that until the waters near Mozambique become protected, the threat of extermination of manta rays will not disappear.

Riddles of the "sea devil"

Despite the fact that the sea devil fish is being actively studied, not all of its secrets have been revealed by scientists. First of all, no one can say why they get married near Mozambique and where they go after. Worker stingrays are essentially migrants and simply "travel" wherever they look.

No less a mystery is their habit of jumping out of the water and falling back with a fountain of spray. Various scientists have put forward several versions on this subject:

Which of the hypotheses is correct, perhaps, will become known in the future, of course, if humanity does not transfer this creature to the category of extinct.

manta rays very different from others marine life their curiosity - they willingly make contact and show curiosity themselves. Now it is on the verge of extinction.
Manta rays are the largest living rays. The width of the body of individual individuals can reach more than 7 meters. Formerly people were afraid of mantas and called them " manta sea devil", but really manta rays - harmless giants. They feed only on plankton and small fish. However, manta rays are perhaps the smartest of all marine life. They have the largest brain, in relation to the total body weight, of all living fish. And it is not yet known why. Scientists still know little about manta rays.

Each manta is born with a unique set of spots on its belly, characteristic only of its day. In November, manta rays gather off the coast of Mozambique for courtship and mating. When a female manta ray is ready to mate, she makes the males just chase after her, so you can often see a whole string of males chasing a large female. Sometimes it is one or two males, and sometimes there are as many as 12. They swim after the female around the reef at very high speeds, and repeat almost every movement of her. This is a whole ritual, very beautiful and interesting. Typically, manta rays give birth to only one calf. Their pregnancy lasts 12 months. But manta sea devil very rarely reproduces every year. manta rays often take a break of a year or two between pregnancies, probably in order to recuperate. This means that mantas are not capable of repopulation if their lives are threatened, for example, due to negative impact fishing industry. Given such a low reproductive capacity of mantas, there is a real danger of the complete extinction of this beautiful animal.

The presence of Chinese syndicates on the Mozambique coast raises serious concerns. Manta rays are highly valued in Chinese folk medicine. And hunting them promises too great a profit for the local fishermen, who live in poverty, to resist it. Around the world, wherever manta rays are hunted, they are considered an endangered species.
Mozambican manta rays can only be safe if the coast receives the status marine reserve. In these waters you can see more whale sharks than anywhere else in the world. Swim here regularly different kinds whales.

Until recently, it was thought that there was only one species of manta rays in the world. But recent observations have shown that there is another species - giant manta rays. They are much larger than ordinary manta rays - their body width can reach 7.5 meters. In addition, the pattern on their stomach has a much more pronounced color or shape.

Manta sea devil descended from electric rays millions of years ago. It was believed that in the course of evolution they lost their sting. For smaller mantas, this is true. However, it was found that giant manta rays still possess the remnants of a stinging spike, which is located at the base of their tails. Therefore, giant manta rays can be distinguished as a separate species.
Where do the giants go? manta rays after a brief stay in the coastal waters of Mozambique? It still remains a mystery. It is believed that manta sea devil- migratory animals, and are able to cover vast distances. They spend most of their lives in the fish-rich waters of the Indian Ocean.

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These marine animals have always fascinated me. Giants, Quiet, calm. They are like sea birds soaring in the abyss of the oceans. To be honest, when I first saw them, I couldn't take my eyes off them for a long time. But these harmless and calm animals are called anything but SEA DEVIL.

I suggest looking at them in more detail.

Few people have as many legends as about the sea devil. By the way, the unfortunate Amphibian Man from the science fiction novel by A. Belyaev was also considered a sea devil.

And in the Baltic, there was a legend about the Sea Bishop for a long time - they caught him a couple of times, delivered him to the king, tried to communicate in Polish and Latin (since the devil is obliged to know Latin!), And he was silent, looking at people with sad suffering eyes. But, they say, once he showed the Catholic priests with signs that he wanted to go home, at sea, they persuaded the king. The creature overshadowed those present with a cross (oh, these legends!) And disappeared into their native waters ...

Many legends about the sea devil exist in Japan. And in South-East Asia still meeting him is a bad omen. Although meeting - what is easier: both off the coast and in the open ocean, this is still a common occurrence. According to local beliefs, even if you happen to be caught, you must immediately let go, away from sin.

Manta rays are very different from other marine life in their curiosity - they willingly make contact and show curiosity themselves. Now the manta ray is on the verge of extinction.

Manta rays are the largest living rays. The width of the body of individual individuals can reach more than 7 meters. People used to be afraid of manta rays and called them "manta sea devil", but in fact, manta rays are harmless giants. They feed only on plankton and small fish. However, manta rays are perhaps the smartest of all marine life. They have the largest brain, in relation to the total body weight, of all living fish. And it is not yet known why. Scientists don't know much about manta rays yet.

Each manta is born with a unique set of spots on its belly, characteristic only of its day. In November, manta rays gather off the coast of Mozambique for courtship and mating. When a female manta ray is ready to mate, she makes the males just chase after her, so you can often see a whole string of males chasing a large female. Sometimes it is one or two males, and sometimes there are as many as 12. They swim after the female around the reef at very high speeds, and repeat almost every movement of her.

This is a whole ritual, very beautiful and interesting. Typically, manta rays give birth to only one calf. Their pregnancy lasts 12 months. But the manta sea devil very rarely reproduces every year. Manta rays often take a year or two between pregnancies, probably to recuperate. This means that manta rays are not able to restore their population if their life is threatened, for example, due to the negative impact of fishing. Given such a low reproductive capacity of mantas, there is a real danger of the complete extinction of this beautiful animal.

The presence of Chinese syndicates on the Mozambique coast raises serious concerns. Manta rays are highly valued in Chinese folk medicine. And hunting them promises too great a profit for the local fishermen, who live in poverty, to resist it. Around the world, wherever manta rays are hunted, they are considered an endangered species.

Mozambican manta rays can only be safe if the coast receives the status of a marine reserve. More whale sharks can be seen in these waters than anywhere else in the world. Various types of whales regularly swim here.

Until recently, it was thought that there was only one species of manta rays in the world. But recent observations have shown that there is another species - giant manta rays. They are much larger than ordinary manta rays - their body width can reach 7.5 meters. In addition, the pattern on their stomach has a much more pronounced color or shape.

The manta sea devil evolved from electric rays millions of years ago. It was believed that in the course of evolution they lost their sting. For smaller mantas, this is true. However, it was found that giant manta rays still possess the remnants of a stinging spike, which is located at the base of their tails. Therefore, giant manta rays can be distinguished as a separate species.

Where do the giant manta rays go after a brief stay in the coastal waters of Mozambique? It still remains a mystery. It is believed that manta sea devils are migratory animals, and are capable of covering vast distances. They spend most of their lives in the fish-rich waters of the Indian Ocean.

The name manta (lat. Manta birostris) is also from the realm of terrible legends. Indeed, translated from Spanish manta - mantilla, manto, cloak. The fish with its cloak (large and strong fins, similar to the wings or the hem of a cloak) hugged a person and dragged him to the bottom. These deadly embraces have long been attributed to the manta.
But in fact, the sea devil (like the Napoleon fish) is one of the safest creatures. There are no spikes, no electricity, no terrible teeth, an elongated lash tail is not armed with anything. And the character is not malicious, even good-natured. People are not attacked at all. Yes, and the manta moves gracefully, leisurely, even phlegmatic, rather, it soars, flies, flaps its wings. A mesmerizing spectacle…

True, the appearance of the manta is unusually impressive: the width of the body is from 4 to 7 meters, the weight is up to 2 tons. This is the largest and at the same time the most harmless of all types of rays. Manta rays can be seen in all tropical oceans, both in the water column or on the surface, and above the water. One of her famous features- impressive jumps in the air to a height of up to one and a half meters. So imagine. And the sound of falling back into the water can be heard for miles.

Why manta rays are so frolicking, jumping out of the water, is not exactly known. Either the mood is good, or the process of courtship is in full swing - and here any somersault-mortale is used, or is it such a topsy-turvy “shower” ...

According to rumors, the manta meat is tasty and nutritious, the liver is beyond praise. Manti recipes are found in ancient "cookbooks". But hunting for it is a rather dangerous occupation, it can turn the boat over, and drag it on a harpoon, and even pat it thoroughly, smash it into chips, such cases are known. Even with bullet wounds, the manta resists for a long time, fighting for life. Yes, and a painfully beautiful creature - we will survive without such an exotic cuisine.

Moreover, females are able to bring only one cub, however, also a solid size - up to 10 kilograms, meter. Which will very quickly grow into a beautiful huge monster. It will surf the seas and oceans, overcome great distances, delighting the eyes of lovers of such beauty: when it cleans its belly about coral reef, when he puts the tips of his pectoral fins parallel out of the water, scaring him to death (it painfully looks like the dorsal fins of sharks), when he jumps out of the water, he almost somersaults and flops into the water with a roar.

The largest of the stingrays, the body width of individual individuals reaches 7 m (in the bulk 4-4.5 meters), and the mass of large specimens is up to 2.5 tons.

The oral cavity of mantas is very wide and is located on the front edge of the head. On the sides of the mouth are two blades that direct the flow of water into the mouth. Like other stingrays, mantas have a developed filtering apparatus, consisting of gill plates on which food is filtered - planktonic crustaceans and small fish.

It was previously believed that manta rays could attack a diver, hugging them from above with their fins-wings and crushing them to death; There were also beliefs that a stingray could swallow a person. In fact, the only danger to a person comes from a manta ray jumping out of the water: it can accidentally fall on a boat or a swimmer with all its huge weight.

Man became convinced of the safety of these animals quite recently, and in the 60s of the 20th century. sea ​​devils appeared before people in the form bloodthirsty creatures. Feature films were even made where manta rays appeared as killers.

The brain of the sea devil is larger than that of other rays or sharks. For their intelligence, docile nature and tameness, manta rays are well-deserved love among divers around the world who come to the islands of the Indian Ocean to swim side by side with manta rays. In addition, he is quite curious. When it appears on the surface interesting subject he emerges and drifts on the waves, watching what is happening. Maybe that's why in ancient times the meeting of a boat with a huge "carpet" that looks at you with an interested look, and gave rise to a wary attitude towards the sea devil?

How about this photo?

Another feature of the manta is its jumping over water. It is not clear exactly what the purpose of the devil is when he jumps 1.5 m above the surface of the water. His deafening landing of a 2-ton body can be heard for several kilometers around, and it is possible that this is the purpose of the jump - to attract a partner or to silence small surface fish?

Manta or giant sea devil is a species of stingrays of the eponymous genus of the bracken family of the caudal-shaped order, the superorder of stingrays. Members of the subfamily Mobulinae, to which manta rays belong, are the only vertebrates with three pairs of functioning limbs. This is the largest of the stingrays, the body width of individual individuals reaches 9.1 m (in the bulk 4-4.5 meters), and the mass of large specimens is up to 3 tons.

Translated from Spanish the name of this fish is translated as "cloak" or "blanket". And indeed, floating in the thick clear water the manta is very reminiscent of a kind of flying carpet, elegantly and majestically soaring in the sky.

Manta is one of the most known species stingrays. It owes its fame, first of all, to its huge size and amazing appearance, which caused the appearance of various legends, stories and tales about this amazing fish from the most ancient times.

The appearance and size of the manta is truly unique. Even a newborn "dummy" reaches more than 150 cm in fin span, and an adult can reach almost 8 m in wingspan and weigh more than 2 tons! This is a real sea giant.

In fairness, it should be said that the manta ray is not the champion among stingrays in terms of body length - the "pedestal of honor" in this competition is occupied by sawfly stingrays, some species of which reach 7.6 m from the tip of the snout to the tip of the tail. The body of a manta does not grow longer than 2 meters. But due to the massiveness and breadth of the wingspan-fins, the manta, according to the unanimous opinion of biologists, is considered the largest stingray of known to science.

The appearance of this fish does not allow confusing it with any other stingray or marine animal. Her body resembles a diamond-shaped carpet, black on top and pure white on the ventral side. Wide wings formed by the pectoral fins, a whip-like short tail, and characteristic horns on the head formed by the anterior tips of the pectoral fins. With these horns, the stingray increases the flow of water into the cavity of its huge mouth. Why does manta need increased water circulation in the mouth? Yes, for the simple reason that these rays are plankton-eating marine animals, like whales, cetaceans and giant sharks. Even the mouth of a manta ray resembles the mouth of a whale shark in shape, differing, however, in the structure of the dental apparatus.

The ability of sea devils to jump out of the water is well known. At the same time, they can rise 1.5 m above its surface. The sound of a large specimen falling onto the water is heard like thunder and can be heard for several miles. Manta is completely safe for humans, because it is not aggressive. However, touching her skin, covered with small spikes, is fraught with bruises and abrasions.

In the way for accumulations of plankton, stingrays can travel thousands of kilometers. The stingrays live in warm waters all oceans except the Arctic. They are most often found in Indian Ocean where they form whole flocks. Usually they hover in the water column, absorbing the plankton crop, often resting near the surface, exposing the tips of their pectoral fins to the surface.

Mantas swim by flapping their pectoral fins like wings. In the open sea, they move at a constant speed in a straight line, and near the coast they often bask on the surface of the water or circle lazily. They are found both singly and in groups of up to 30 individuals. They are often accompanied by other fish as well as seabirds.

Interestingly, manta rays are the most "brainy" fish in the oceans. The specific gravity of the manta brain (relative to body weight) is the largest fish known to science. It is possible that manta rays are the smartest fish on Earth.

The main danger for the manta is a person. The stingray meat is tasty and the liver is rich in fat. Therefore, in their habitats, handicraft fishermen and sports fishermen hunt manta rays. It is not easy to get a huge fish from the water, therefore it is prestigious. This leads to a drop in the number of manta rays, which causes concern among conservationists. Currently, work is underway on artificial breeding these animals in captivity. In 2007, a manta calf was born for the first time in the Okinawa Aquarium (Japan).

The sea devil is also called this majestic and absolutely safe animal. The size and amazing appearance have led to the creation of legends and stories about this extraordinary fish.

They are capable of doing high jumps above the water

sea ​​giant

The large fins of the stingray, similar to wings, reach seven meters. They can be completely wrapped whale shark- the most big fish in the world. For the scope and massiveness of the wings-fins of the manta, biologists consider it the largest stingray, a real marine giant.

Habitat

Stingrays live in the warm waters of all oceans except the Arctic. More often they are found in the Indian Ocean, where they form whole flocks. Usually stingrays soar in the water column, absorbing the plankton crop, often resting near the surface, exposing the tips of their pectoral fins.

Stingrays are attracted to air bubbles

brain size

Interestingly, manta rays are the most "brainy" fish in the oceans. Specific gravity manta brain (relative to body weight) is the largest fish known to science. It is possible that manta rays are the smartest fish on Earth.

It feeds on plankton, crustaceans and small fish. In the way for accumulations of plankton, stingrays can travel thousands of kilometers. Stingrays feed on plankton interesting way: they line up in a long "chain" and close it in a circle, then the rays quickly move in a circle, thereby creating a "tornado" under water. This funnel sucks in and holds the plankton captive. A feast begins at the stingrays, they absorb their prey.

giant mouth

The mouth of these rays is very wide and is located at the front edge of the head. Like other stingrays, mantas have a peculiar filtering apparatus, consisting of gill plates, on which food is filtered - planktonic crustaceans, small fish.