One of the reasons to go scuba diving is to see the wide range of marine life. One of the popular species of marine life to see is the manta rays. The manta rays are one of the larger creatures in the ocean with a nine-meter wingspan and are popular with scuba divers. But are Manta Rays dangerous to humans?
Manta rays are timid calm animals and pose no threat to humans. They have no stinger and if they feel threatened they will run. While this does not sound effective to run but due to its size and acrobatic maneuverability, it is very effective as it can outrun predators and scuba divers.
In today’s post, we will go through in more detail are manta rays dangerous to humans. So let’s get started!
Are Manta Rays Dangerous To Humans?
Manta rays are not dangerous to humans, but humans do need to use common sense around animal. Generally speaking manta rays are are calm timid animals but they are still wild animals. So if they feel threatened they will try to run away.
The manta ray does not have a stinger but they do have a long tail. Meaning the manta ray can not sting or really hurt anybody.
It is safer to admire the manta rays from a safe distance. You will see a few scuba divers getting a little too close to the manta rays mainly to take a picture but that does not mean you should do close also.
Do Manta Rays Have Stingers?
Manta rays do not have stingers but they do have long tails.
Has A Manta Ray Ever Attacked A Human?
No, simply because the manta rays are timid animals and have no stinger so they can not sting or really hurt anybody.
Some people say that Steve Irwin was died in 2006 by a manta ray. But it was a short-tail stingray that directly into the heart with its stinger.
What Is The Average Lifespan Of A Manta Ray?
Manta rays have a long lifespan and can live up to 50 years.
Differences Between Manta Rays And Stingrays
People get mixed up with manta rays and stingrays as they can appear similar. They even think that the manta ray killed Steve Irwin. There are some key differences between the two animals.
- Defense Mechanism.
- Sizes Differences.
- Different Diet.
Defense Mechanism
The manta ray’s only real defense is to run away. While this does not sound like a great defense but due to its size and acrobatic maneuverability, it is very effective as they can outrun most of their predators. They have no teeth, a barb, or a stinger.
Whereas a stingray has a stinger that it can use if it feels threatened, which does happen when divers get too close.
Sizes Differences
The stingrays are smaller than the manta ray. A stingray can grow to 2 meters whereas a manta ray can grow up to 18 meters.
Different Diet
Manta rays are filter feeders that feed on plankton like fish eggs, small fish, and other tiny floating animals, with their mouths in the front of their bodies.
On the other hand stingrays are still close to the seafloor for food and can camouflage themselves with the sand. They eat all kinds of sea life.
Why Are Divers Not Allowed To Touch A Manta Ray?
Wrapping Up
Finally, manta rays are calm animals and pose no threat to humans. The manta ray’s only real defense is to run away from a threat. These are wild animals so it is safer and better to admire the animals from a safe distance.
And that’s it for now! I’d love to know if this guide on if Manta Rays are dangerous to humans has helped you. Let me know if you have any questions and let me know if there is more to add.
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