Giant Oceanic Manta Ray (Mobula birostris)
Known for its vast wingspan and serene intelligence, the giant oceanic manta ray moves through the open ocean like a current made visible — graceful, unhurried, and endlessly aware of the world it passes through.
Scientific Snapshot
From the Field
Scientific Name: Mobula birostris
Common Names: Giant manta ray, oceanic manta ray, devilfish
Average Size: Up to 7 meters (23 feet) across; weight over 1,300 kg (3,000 lbs)
Habitat: Open ocean and near offshore islands, typically in tropical and subtropical waters
Diet: Filter feeder — plankton, small crustaceans, fish larvae
Conservation Status: Endangered (IUCN Red List)
Range: Found worldwide in tropical, subtropical, and some temperate waters; migratory across open ocean corridors
The story…