At a glance
- IUCN category
- EN · Endangered
- Animal group
- Fish
- Population trend
- Decreasing
- Last verified
Conservation overview
The giant manta ray is the largest ray in the world, a gentle filter-feeder with a wingspan that can exceed seven metres. It is assessed as Endangered.
It feeds on plankton and is famous for acrobatic leaps.
Range & habitat
Tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide, mostly in the open sea.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- Targeted fishing for gill plates
- Bycatch
- A very low reproductive rate
Why it matters
A wide-ranging, slow-breeding ocean giant, the giant manta ray is a flagship for protecting open-ocean wildlife and curbing fisheries that target rays.
Sources
Sources for Giant Manta Ray
- IUCN Red List — look up Giant Manta Ray (authoritative status)
- NOAA Fisheries
- Animal Diversity Web
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is the giant manta ray?
It is the largest ray, with a 'wingspan' (disc width) that can exceed seven metres. Despite its size, it feeds on tiny plankton.
Why is the giant manta ray Endangered?
Published assessments cite targeted fishing (notably for their gill plates), bycatch, and a very low reproductive rate that makes recovery slow. See the IUCN Red List.
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