The giant oceanic manta ray (Manta birostris) is a species of ray in the family Mobulidae, and the largest type of ray in the world. They are circumglobal and are typically found in tropical and subtropical waters, but can also be found in temperate waters.[3]

Oceanic mantas are large, horizontally flattened fish that can grow to a width of 9 m (30 ft). They feed on plankton which they scoop up with their large mouths. Little is known of their reproductive habits, but one (or occasionally two) live young are born after a gestation period of about a year. They reside in deep-water, pelagic zones, making periodic visits to cleaning stations at seamounts and coastal reefs. Minimal concrete information exists on oceanic manta movements, but they are generally believed to be more transient and migratory than the smaller reef manta ray (Manta alfredi), which tends to be resident in shallower coastal habitats.

Amany Esmail