R Is For Ray

Learn About Rays

Sea and Sky: Sharks & Rays

Sharks are part of a family of fishes known as cartilage fishes. They have no bones in their bodies, only cartilage, like the soft flexible tissue in the end of your nose. Rays are also a member of this group. In fact, rays are actually nothing more than flattened out sharks. They are the "birds" of the sea.

The "Birds of the Deep Sea" - Rays

If you've ever ventured to Shark Ray Alley, an open-water area located about five miles south of San Pedro, then you've surely seen the amazing disc-shaped creatures that gracefully swim about.

Learning About Rays - Unit Study on Sea Creatures, Lesson 12

Learning About Rays - Unit Study on Sea Creatures, Lesson 12. Moray Eels make their homes in narrow coral caves. Eels have muscular, snake-like bodies. They belong to the Class Osteichthyes. There are about 500 species of eels.

Rays- Enchanted Learning Software

Rays are a type of fish that is very flat and has no bones, only cartilage. Rays are closely related to sharks.

Manta ray - Wikipedia

The manta ray, or giant manta (Manta birostris), is the largest of the rays, with the largest known specimen having been nearly 7.6 meters (25 ft) across its pectoral fins (or "wings") and weighed in at 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). It ranges throughout the tropical seas of the world, typically around coral reefs.

Florida Museum of Natural History Ichthyology Department: Manta Ray

Individual mantas possess distinct dorsal and ventral coloration that is unique to each animal. Generally, it is dark brown, grayish blue, or black on top with pale edges and white underneath. Some individual mantas have pale patches and color patterns on top as well as dark blotches underneath. These color variations have been used to identify individuals.

Devil ray

The so-called cephalic fins of the devil ray, pointing forward, give it so distinctive an appearance that it could not be confused with any other fish, except for some other member of its own family.

Manta Ray Photos, Manta Birostris, Phillip Colla Natural History Photography

Manta rays are often accompanied by remoras. Right: Clarion angelfish (Holocanthus clarionensis) swim out from the reef to clean manta rays (and their remoras) of parasites and bits of dead skin.