The devil ray is a family name of several ray species. The Great Devil Ray is a stingray that can grow huge. Despite its enormous size, it is not entirely safe in the oceans. A number of predators are known to have it on their menu. However, he has a number of methods to protect himself from these predators. In addition, humans are a threat to the animal species. How tall and wide can the animals grow? Where do the rays occur and what other special properties does the marine animal have?
The devil ray
- Different names
- External characteristics and properties
- The diet of the devil ray
- Living environment
- Endangered species
Different names
In English, the devil ray is known as the “devil fish”, “flying mobula” or “giant devil ray”. The manta ray is a species of ray that belongs to the devil ray subfamily. It is also known as the great devil ray. This gives these sea creatures a similar appearance. In addition, they all belong to the cartilaginous fish. These fish have a skeleton that consists entirely of cartilage.
External characteristics and properties
The largest species (large devil ray) can grow to about four meters wide. This is because of its huge limbs that resemble wings. In addition, it can reach a length of more than five meters. There are also small species such as the “Atlantic devil ray”. In English it is known as the “lesser devil ray”. This diminutive species can only grow a meter in width and is found around the American coast. The gills of the fish are on the underside of their body. Its skin is camouflaged to protect itself from predators.
Camouflage against predators
The devil ray has a dark color on the top of its body. However, the underside of its body is white in color. This makes the animal less noticeable to both prey and predators. Predators that want to attack from the depth see his white lower body. This can be compared to the light that shines down from above. On the other hand, the color of the top of its body resembles the ocean floor. The camouflage on his skin thus increases his chances of survival.
The differences between other devil rays and manta rays
Most devil rays have a tail that ends in a point. However, the manta ray does not have this, as its tail ends with a kind of knob. In addition, the manta (large devil ray) is huge, making it far above the average length of a devil ray.
The diet of the devil ray
The devil ray mainly eats plankton and small fish. In addition, the marine animal hunts shrimp. His body is streamlined so that he can move quickly in the water. This gives him the opportunity to catch the various prey animals. Most of the food he needs is found around coral reefs. However, there can be predators here that can be a danger to the devil ray.
Living environment
Scientists have discovered that the marine animal can dive very deep. The animals are normally known to be found mostly in shallow water. Chilean researchers have installed transmitters that store multiple types of data. The device has the ability to store data such as water temperature, light level and depth information. After nine months it floats on its own towards the water surface. The device then sends the data via a satellite connection to the computers that have been used by the researchers. With these tools, researchers have discovered that the skate can be in tremendous depths.
Jumps and “dives”
Researchers have discovered that the rays can make a very fast vertical “dive”. On the other hand, they can jump out of the water. Researchers suspect that this removes parasites from their skin. Another possibility is that they have reached a high speed for some reason and accidentally shoot out of the water. They might be on the run from a predator at such a time, and when they jump out of the water, they move their limbs as if flying out of the water.
Endangered species
Because the population is small, the animal is known as an endangered species. This is largely due to the fact that the marine animal regularly ends up in fishing nets. This happens when fishermen are hunting for other fish species. When fish ends up in the nets that do not belong to the catch, it is called “by-catch”. Unfortunately, there are many fishermen who do not handle this carefully, which threatens the stingray. Predators are not a direct threat to the population as this is part of the natural balance.