August 2016 Vol. 3 Issue 8 Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Chondrichthyes Order Rajiforms Family Mobulidae Manta birostris Manta Ray Manta Rays are related to Sharks About the Manta Ray The Manta Ray is a type of cartilaginous elasmobranch fish that swims in the temperate, tropical, and subtropical waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans. Manta Rays feed on plankton and must stay constantly moving to keep water running through their gills to breathe. Their wingspan can grow up to twenty three feet in length and the can weigh over four thousand pounds. Unfortunately, Manta rays are hunted for their large gill plates to fill demand in the traditional Chinese medicine market. Asian Manta Rays are a part of the Elasmobranchii cultures believe that the gill plates boost the immune system, subclass, this subclass contains Sharks, enhance blood circulation, and some even believe the plats can Batoids, and Rays. Thus making them cure cancer. These claims are not supported by science or ovoviviparous like Sharks. This means that traditional Chinese medicinal texts. the Manta Ray gives live birth to her offspring, but the offspring develop in eggs inside her womb. The embryos develop for Fun Fact! twelve to thirteen months and upon birth Manta Rays are known to leap out of the ocean! The scientific community theorizes tha (which takes place at night in shallow Manta’s leap to either impress females, to control parasites, to escape predators, or it waters) are completely independent. may be used as a form of communication. .