Trivia question for Apr-05-2011

Olivia found these fish to be fascinating.  The manta ray is the largest species of the rays.  The largest known specimen was more than 25 ft across, with a weight of about 5,100 lb.  It ranges throughout tropical waters of the world, typically around coral reefs.  They have the largest brain-to-body ratio of the sharks, rays and skates.

Mantas feed on plankton, fish larvae and the like, filtered from the water passing through their gills as they swim.  They catch small prey organisms on flat horizontal plates of russet-colored spongy tissue spanning spaces between the manta’s gill bars.  Manta rays frequently visit cleaning stations where small fish such as wrasse, remora, and angelfish swim in the manta’s gills and over its skin to feed, in the process cleaning it of parasites and dead tissue.  Large sharks and in some circumstances orcas, are manta’s main predators.

So here are Olivia’s questions:  Tell us where the name “Manta” stems from and what it means, also tell us what the Manta Ray’s other name is and what it means?

Good Luck 😉

Answer:

Congratulations go out to both Natalie and Arkte Spirit for both answering a portion of the trivia correctly.  Great job and great teamwork.   The name “Manta” stems from a Spanish word meaning Blanket or cloak and describes the manta ray’s appearance.

Mantas have a variety of common names, including Atlantic manta, Pacific manta, devilfish, and just manta but the name most widely used to describe these fish is “Giant Devilfish” which arose because its outstretched cephalic fins were thought to resemble a devil’s horns.  Here is more on these graceful looking rays: Manta Rays

Thanks for playing along 😉