Giant Oceanic Manta Ray: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Fish and Sharks · day 5 of 7

Five facts

1. It has the biggest brain of any fish, up to 200 g. That is five to ten times heavier than a whale shark's brain.
2. Mantas may be among the rare animals that pass the mirror test, a hint that they might know they are looking at themselves.
3. Two fins at the front of its head roll up into spirals while it swims. To feed, it unrolls them to steer water into its wide mouth.
4. It visits cleaning stations on coral reefs, hovering almost still for minutes while small fish pick off loose skin and parasites.
5. Its belly is white, often with dark spots. These markings differ from one manta to the next, so they can be used to tell individuals apart.

The quiz

1. What is special about the giant manta's brain?

• It is the largest brain of any fish (correct)
• It is split into two separate halves
• It sits inside its tail
• It is smaller than a pea

Weighing up to 200 g, it is the biggest brain of any fish.

2. Which test might manta rays pass, hinting that they recognise themselves?

• The maze test
• The colour test
• The mirror test (correct)
• The smell test

Mantas are among the few animals that might pass the mirror test.

3. What does a manta do with the two fins at the front of its head?

• Walks on the seabed with them
• Rolls them up to swim and opens them to feed (correct)
• Uses them to sting attackers
• Digs for clams in the sand

They roll into spirals for swimming and open out to guide water into its mouth.

4. Why does a manta hover almost still at a cleaning station?

• To sleep through the day
• To lay its eggs on the coral
• To hide from passing boats
• So small fish can remove loose skin and parasites (correct)

Cleaner fish nibble off its loose skin and parasites while it keeps still.

5. How can people tell one giant manta from another?

• By the markings on its belly (correct)
• By the colour of its eyes
• By the songs it sings
• By the length of its teeth

The spots on its white underside can be used to recognise individuals.

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