Manta rays are the largest rays in the world. Mantas are divided into at least two species. the reef manta is Manta alfredi and the gigantic oceanic manta is Manta birostris. Their appearance is similar and their ranges overlap, but the enormous manta prefers the wide ocean, while the reef manta prefers shallower coastal areas.

Most blankets are black or dark-colored on top, with distinct “shoulders” and a light underside. Dark markings may be present on the ventral surface. There are other completely black ᴄʀᴇᴀᴛᴜʀᴇs. M. birostris has a spine near its dorsal fin, however, it does not sting. M. birostris can grow up to 7 m (23 ft) wide, while M. alfredi can grow up to 5.5 m (18 ft) wide. A huge blanket can weigh up to 1,350 kg (2,980 lb). Manta rays must swim forward so that oxygenated water flows through their gills. Fish swim underwater by flapping their fins ᴘᴇᴄᴛᴏʀᴀʟ and “flying”. Despite their size, manta rays regularly penetrate the air. Fish are said to be very intelligent as they have one of the highest ʙʀᴀɪɴ-ᴛᴏ-ʙᴏᴅʏ mass ratios. Manta rays can be found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world. They have been seen as far north as North Carolina (31N) in the United States and as far south as New Zealand (36S), however they only roam temperate waters when the water temperature is at least 20 degrees. Celsius (68F). Both species are pelagic, meaning they live primarily in the open ocean. From spring to autumn, they are abundant in coastal seas. They can move up to 1,000 km (620 mi) and live at depths ranging from sea level to 1,000 m. (3300 feet). Manta rays swim near the surface all day long. At night, they go deeper.

Manta rays are filter feeders and feed on zooᴘʟᴀɴᴋᴛᴏɴ such as ᴋʀɪʟʟ, shrimp, and ʟᴀʀᴠᴀᴇ crabs. Mantas hunt using both sight and smell. A manta gathers its food by swimming around it in circles, allowing the current to gather the ᴘʟᴀɴᴋᴛᴏɴ. The beam then travels through the food ball with its mouth wide open.

The particles are channeled towards the mouth by the cephalic fins and collected by the gill arches. Mᴀᴛɪɴɢ occurs at various times of the year and depends on the geographic location of the manta. Cᴏᴜʀᴛsʜɪᴘ seems to include fish swimming in “trains”, which tends to often occur during full moons.

The ᴍᴀʟᴇ usually always grabs the left fin ᴘᴇᴄᴛᴏʀᴀʟ of the feᴍᴀʟᴇ during Mᴀᴛɪɴɢ. Then he turns him belly to belly and places a hook in his cloaca. Gᴇsᴛᴀᴛɪᴏɴ is believed to last 12 to 13 months. Inside the feᴍᴀʟᴇ, the eggshells hatch. Eventually one or two cubs will emerge. The Feᴍᴀʟᴇs give ʙɪʀᴛʜ every two years on average.