Manta rays like hanging out with their mates
A five-year study in Indonesian waters has confirmed that wild-roaming reef manta rays (Manta alfredi) form selective bonds with other rays, providing evidence of structured social relationships.
Dwarfing humans who are lucky enough to swim near them, mantas are the largest rays in the ocean, with two recognised species – the reef manta and the giant manta (Manta birostris).
The reef mantas swim at shallow-water feeding and cleaning sites, and their appeal to divers is starting to disrupt their natural behaviour.
Published by Cosmos Magazine.
