The Insane Biology of: The Giant Manta Ray

Watch the first episode of Archeology Quest! nebula.tv/videos/realscience-...
Give the gift of a lifetime Nebula membership!
go.nebula.tv/gift?ref=realsci...
Watch this video ad-free on Nebula: nebula.tv/videos/realscience-...
Patreon: / realscience
Instagram: / stephaniesammann
Images Courtesy of Getty Images
Thanks to our Patreon Supporters:
Eric Ypsilantis
Robert Thompson
Keith Skipper
Thanks so much to Jessica Pate from the Florida Manta Project for joining us! Check out her amazing work here: marinemegafauna.org/americas/...
Credits:
Narrator: Stephanie Sammann
Writer: Lorraine Boissoneault
Editor: Dylan Hennessy (www.behance.net/dylanhennessy1)
Illustrator: Jacek Ambrożewski
Illustrator/Animator: Kirtan Patel (kpatart.com/illustrations)
Animator: Mike Ridolfi (www.moboxgraphics.com/)
Sound: Graham Haerther (haerther.net)
Thumbnail: Simon Buckmaster ( / forgottentowel )
Producer: Brian McManus ( / realengineering )
REFERENCES
[1] academic.oup.com/zoolinnean/a...
[2] www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/3/3/20
[3] academic.oup.com/zoolinnean/a...
[4]www.elasmo-research.org/educat...
[5] www.sciencedirect.com/science...
[6] academic.oup.com/evolut/artic...
[7] royalsocietypublishing.org/do...
[8] besjournals.onlinelibrary.wil...
[9] link.springer.com/article/10....
[10] www.nature.com/articles/s4159...
[11] www.sciencedirect.com/science...
[12] www.mantatrust.org/what-are-m...
[13] academic.oup.com/biolinnean/a...
[14] link.springer.com/article/10....
[15] benthamopen.com/contents/pdf/...
[16] www.researchgate.net/profile/...

[@realscience]

I know there is an audio glitch at 8:52. She says "a lot of times when I'm talking to people, they're like, Oh, that's what killed Steve Irwin. And I'm like, No, manta rays don't have any way that they can kill you, they don’t have stinging barbs." I have been working with (read: arguing with) KZbin to allow me to reupload the video without deleting it first. Hopefully we will get it resolved. In the mean time check out Jessica Pate's amazing work with the Florida Manta Project here: marinemegafauna.org/americas/florida-manta-project

[@silverXnoise]

This is what I have to say about that: …

[@eSKAone-]

Dinosaurs were large and had no problem (roamed earth for hundreds of millions of years), it's humans who made it dangerous for animals to be large.

[@genericanimecharacter430]

Don't worry. 99% won't notice, but I applaud your integrity for pointing it out. Please never stop doing that.

[@silverXnoise]

If you can add captions, you should add emoji-only captions, and then delete this thread and don’t explain it anywhere.

[@chrismeandyou]

Editing out things is available to do, or adding a text overlay, but you want to add in audio so it will probably be a deletion.

[@ChestCandy]

There are diving tours in the Gulf of Mexico that go to decommissioned oil rigs. One of the rigs has a giant manta that, for some reason, really likes to swim up to divers, have them hold onto it, and it swims them around in a circle before letting them off and getting another diver. It waits longer for slow swimmers and only lets you ride once, but it gets everyone then just leaves. It's been doing this for over a decade and no one knows why. It's surreal.

[@chazdomingo475]

Walking the dogs.

[@williambrasky3891]

Believe me, I once dated a Ray. It’s just trying to get in your pants.

[@Cynsham]

“Oh boy, more land creatures that need to be walked around the block!”

[@Fairygoblin777]

It's the school bus from finding nemo lmao

[@Grand-Massive]

Is there video?

[@quantx6572]

I swam with Giant Manta Ray in Micronesia about 25 years ago. Scuba diving several miles out. Dove about 60-90ft. Giant Mantas everywhere. They were indeed very curious and friendly. I remember how they moved around us in big circles, gracefully, never getting too close, but very curious and friendly nonetheless. I distinctly remember being amazed at their size.

[@williambrasky3891]

Ppl say the same thing about my balls

[@963seeker]

I think that was off the coast of Riken village, if the island you are referring too is Yap Isle. Yes they can grow to be extremely big, they get annoying when they block you from coming up for air lol, but yes they are harmless. We also do not eat them, just like dolphins. They are sweet creatures of the sea.

[@riccardobert1950]

you just described a dream of mine. I guess its a fond memory youll never forget about. kinda jealous of you, but not in a demeaning way if that makes sense ^^

[@dogspaghetti7118]

The manta Ray has always been one of my favorite animals- so gentle, so giant, yet so mysterious

[@sebastianhhghbickert7869]

Happens, can u fix it?

[@pulverizedpeanuts]

​@@sebastianhhghbickert7869wdym

[@pulverizedpeanuts]

​@@sebastianhhghbickert7869wdym

[@pulverizedpeanuts]

​@@sebastianhhghbickert7869wdym?

[@Totalinternalreflection]

Well I know a Manta Ray personally and she thinks you're a b1tch

[@bennyb.1742]

I had the privilege of working with Manta's in Indonesia for four years. They are very, very special animals. So inquisitive and sociable. Many times we'd be down doing something face down in the mud like surveying micro biology or something, and all of a sudden it would look like an eclipse. The big mantas that knew us would sneak up and scratch their tummies with our exhaust bubbles.

[@christa0026]

may i ask how you got the opportunity? was it like volunteering of sorts??

[@pooperman2232]

​@ezra6973 I would also like to know this information. I want manta buddy.

[@Ron_swanson_true_libertarian]

Buddy you have lived.

[@zackzittel7683]

Scientists don’t call them manta rays the correct term is “flappy bois”

[@Ron_swanson_true_libertarian]

@@zackzittel7683 Tampa Bay Rays

[@xandrewvondiue522]

I never knew giant mantas were intelligent enough to be considered to have complex social behaviors like changing colors!! This is too epic. Super grateful for your content, since it reignites my admiration for mysterious creatures

[@JonalynH]

Weird fact: The same way a tiny hummingbird's wings fly in the air with a figure 8 movement, allowing greater flight efficiency and manoeuvrability no other bird species has, is the same flight movement of manta rays. They both also can hover in place a rare ability in air or water.

[@zimboiii9025]

pretty sure it's a sine wave

[@xxXKillTheRedsXxx]

From what I understand bees fly using the same motion, and that's what they didn't know back in the day when they said it should be impossible for a bumblebee to fly

[@kevinbeazy]

@@xxXKillTheRedsXxxthat’s a myth. No one ever thought that since obviously bees fly.

[@DamonBeelerTV]

​@xxXKillTheRedsXxx were you high when u typed this? How is a bee not supposed to fly?

[@Betweentheraindrops8]

DamonBeelerTV You seemed to have misunderstood what they were saying. “It should be impossible,” as in everyone could see that they could fly, but given their proportions it wasn’t understood how they did it.

[@laurelsilberman5705]

I am an experienced open water diver; I’ve been all over the world and had all kinds of interactions with animals as a result of my upbringing, and one of the few animals I haven’t seen and am actually jealous of someone else for having seen is my mom seeing a giant ray in Fiji. She described it as the size of a school bus and said she got a sense of emotion and intelligence from it similar to a whale, based on the cautious but thorough examination it performed of their dive group before wandering off. She said it was like meeting an alien that’s almost as smart as you, and had better more important things to do that day than look at them. I could listen to her retell that story any day.

[@saelesc]

ugh every time y’all release one of them videos it just reinforces how much I love marine science! I’m so happy I’m pursuing it as a career!!

[@francesco5254]

great career choice. Wish you the best!

[@sithmir]

Really enjoyed the explanation from 8:51 - 9:01 lads

[@CaseyW491]

Seriously, what happened there???

[@sacordle]

@@CaseyW491if I told you, you would never be the same.

[@John-Smith02]

@@sacordle ok, don't tell Casey white, tell me.

[@jans_]

lol

[@humanweapon100]

She was simply talking under water lmao.

[@suicideistheanswer369]

They look so ethereal, so majestic.

[@vice.nor.virtue]

Such titanic grace

[@ThisMightWork]

One of my earliest memories growing up in south Florida was being on a pier and seeing what I thought at the time as a giant black and white spaceship following a big school of fish. I’ll never forget that giant ray it was absolutely massive

[@glennquagmire1747]

I remember as a kid at a beach fishing i saw a huge manta ray leaped out of the water back in 1970, it was the most awesome sight i ever witnessed.

[@Grand-Massive]

Another very big benefit to being large in the ocean is that its much more thermally efficient to have a high body mass because of the square cube law. That is why deep sea gigantism is so common.

[@aidenmclaughlin1076]

Manta rays are just incredible. I had the opportunity to dive with one once, and videos and pictures don’t do their size justice. They’re absolutely massive!

[@kristiankajhoj]

It is so incredible to see a creature so distant from humans in appearance show signs of social intelligence at higher levels. Nature truly is remarkable!

[@patherek7914]

Some of your clipped audio didn't work. Around the 8:45 mark.

[@Adamastor_0]

Really enjoy your videos! Can you make one about the Nautilus? They are iconic but most people know almost nothing about them

[@realscience]

That's a great idea!

[@apveening]

@@realscience Looking forward to it.

[@mio2317]

that was hot

[@mio2317]

Do u think ur all that?!?

[@mexiguayan]

​@@mio2317are you okay?

[@acephas3]

They used to scare me as a kid. They represented both the vastness and depth of the ocean more than anything else; save for coral reef dropoffs.

[@vice.nor.virtue]

The sheer awesome scale of them is intimidating, but witnessing their placid friendly nature is so calming. Their gracious existence is so incongruous with the deadly shark infested oceans of the world that they really don't fit in. If I wasn't watching a video about them right now I would have believed them to be pure mythology.

[@MichaelEilers]

I’d like to know more about how they function as a little roaming ecosystem; you can clearly see remoras and little schools of fish that travel in their “shadow” and other schooling behavior nearby.

[@nittojoe136]

I went scuba diving in Indonesia with manta ray and they seemed to really love the feeling of the bubbles from the regulator on their belly. They almost play with the bubbles and scoop them up, it's really funny

[@LouieRides]

I love this channel so much. My inner biology nerd gets so happy every time I see a new video from you guys.

[@JesseOrrall]

My favorite animal since I was a child, this is the most detailed and up-to-date video I've seen about manta rays and I learned a bunch of new stuff, thank you!

[@sarahyoung646]

I'm really sorry CuriosityStream is doing that, but glad to know about it. I support Nebula because it's really important to me that creators have control over how their platform runs, and y'all deserve the funds to make that happen. I'll make sure mine are going the right direction. Also, this is a gorgeous video and I learned a lot. Thank you.

[@ZBroski_]

Fr bro. That sounds like it really sux😢. sounds like the company is having financial issues? Or ready to go bankrupt suddenly like SCP. That's stupid they're trying to screw nebula creators over like that. Idk what's going on behind the scenes or what events led up to this, but thatalea me angry they treating y'all like that. Is this how CS trying is to disconnect with nebula smh wtf bro Anyway, I'm glad I read your comment and stayed for the ad read. Now I'm going to cancel my bundle and renew with nebula by itself. Also, super excited to see her do a new show! Live action, gameshow, making stuff, and bringing a friend on the show. That's so freaking cool!!!🎉😊🤘🤘

[@misterscottintheway]

You're delivering a combination of high production values and quality science matched by very few channels. So much work and the result is outstanding.

[@jdawwgg7209]

Audio cuts out around 8:50 for about 10 seconds

[@GerardMenvussa]

Audio is ok. She is just demonstrating her abilities in manta-speech.

[@mexiguayan]

​@@GerardMenvussa😂😂😂

[@marcopohl4875]

It was a glitch during upload, she said "a lot of times when I'm talking to people, they're like, Oh, that's what killed Steve Irwin. And I'm like, No, manta rays don't have any way that they can kill you, they don’t have stinging barbs."

[@randomthoughts9463]

I've watched another KZbin video that shows Giant Manta Rays may actually have self-realization. This is a test by putting a large mirror, animals/mammals and watching to see if they recognize themselves. The ray was actually swimming back and forth and "posing" in front of the mirror many times. Interesting! Thx.

[@BoomBoomBrucey]

I'm sure you've seen by now, but 8:45 onwards during the stinger explanation theres no audio.

[@cathalodiubhain5739]

The manta ray’s friendly demeanor and curiosity towards humans has earned it the nickname “the puppy of the sea”

[@AIpuchino]

Pretty much everything that swims has been called that

[@patreekotime4578]

This is insanely cool. I had no idea that mantas could change coloration. And honestly, in a "sea" of channels being pushed by YT doing quasi science and clickbait nonsense, it is awesome to see a well-researched video. Sub earned!

[@lightcore1]

YOOOO thank you so much for making this video. These are by far my favorite animals, in fact my friends always get tired because I keep spamming them with information about mantas... I got so excited once I saw this video pop up on my timeline... I've been a fan for quite some time, but this was the one video I was always missing

[@FrancisFjordCupola]

Hats off to the researchers! Hope they get to learn and interact with Manta's a lot more. Gorgeous creatures.

[@BlitzFurry]

My love and passion for the ocean and marine life I can’t put into words. I wanted to be a marine biologist when I was younger. Though now I’ll just go diving. But every time I dive I’m always memorized by marine life and being underwater in the ocean all my problems go away. The world around me underwater is just.. beautiful beyond words. God even just thinking about it brings a tear to my eye.

[@davidkendall2272]

Excellent video. I love Manta rays and was fortunate to dive with several years ago in Baha, Mexico. Beautiful experience and incredibly gentle animals. Thanks for sharing this worthwhile information. Horrific to hear these gentle animals would be killed ever!

[@Sunflowersarepretty]

The thumbnail is always great and the content is top notch. I love learning about different creatures from this channel. ❤

[@adrianpoesiat]

All manta knowledge👍 I’ve dove with the Mantas at Kona Hawaii. They’ve set up “campfires”, night lights that draw krill that they feast on. They are very intelligent

[@ZipSnipe]

Was out surfing once in Ponce Inlet Florida and this huge 20 feet across manta ray came underneath all of us and then popped out of the water about 100 yards out, truly impressive

[@harimiurimi2140]

There's missing audio at 9:00

[@Gothmaugh]

Guy I was in the Army with was from Yap, the island home to the giant rays. His uncle did diving tours. He knew their body characteristics from decades of work. He would lead tourists under them right before the rays released an ungodly amount of poo. I will never not think of that thanks to my buddy from Yap 😂

[@hugoballs2133]

what happened at 9:01? no sound?

[@sarahwehr6371]

I love this video. It’s gripping and informative. I love the narrators clear pleasant voice and how smoothly she is leading my attention around. The video editing is great as well, very useful images and illustrations. I feel enlightened and empathetic to the giant manta. Thank you for this content 🫶🏻

[@Liliphant_]

The narrator has some of the clearest, easiest to understand American English I've heard

[@ajgamble451]

I’ve always said that i would love to come back as a Giant Manta Ray in some lifetime. I’d love to be able to go see one in the wild one day

[@milalala2239]

That´s really amazing and so beautiful!

[@loganphillips5142]

8:52 When she said " " I felt that

[@AldrianCG]

The biggest i’ve ever seen was that time when i was working in Puerto Vallarta. At first i couldn’t believe the size of the thing, truly an amazing experience. Pretty cool to know more about them. Thank you! 😊

[@beepboop974]

lovely high quality editing. everything explained. loved the part about how they lost their stinger

[@sigma0184]

I love the manta rays so much they're my favourite animals. So big and manestic and even intelligent. Thanks so much for covering them ❤

[@Daigotsumax]

This channel's content is so good and professional every single time. Thank you for all the videos!

[@OrangeManta104]

I have allways loved reef manta rays, but i never really found a good video on the subject. Keep the great work up!

[@sarar4510]

We did a night time manta ray excursion in Hawaii in 2015. Coolest thing I have ever done, hands down! They did their barrel rolls right up against you but were sooooo careful not to hit you! Such amazing creatures. I am so thankful for that experience.

[@Notapizzathief]

I love noticing little fractal patterns in nature. That shape the manta ray makes when reaching maximum speed, isn't it amazing that that's almost identical to the analemma - the shape the sun traces around the sky over the course of a year if you measure it at the same time each day.

[@ruskiwaffle1991]

Mantas are one of the most majestic life forms I've ever seen.

[@vice.nor.virtue]

Honestly I think they are just the most majestic on the whole planet. I'm really trying to think of anything that comes close to these guys' titanic grace and I'm totally stumped.

[@HopperChopper]

Super cool watch. Fascinating creatures. A shame about the Curiosity Stream Situation. That bundle was the only reason I used their platform to begin with. Problem with audio at around 8:50. Great video as always, keep it up!

[@philippeforest8502]

Superb documentary ! You're an amazing team ! Merci (Témiscouata, Québec, Canada )

[@sheenawarecki92]

The manta is a huge favorite of mine! They seem so sweet I love them thank you for the wonderful look into these big ocean flap flaps! (I also call their mouth fins feedy flaps or food flaps)

[@brianrussell7691]

I’ve always been fascinated with the Manta Rays. As a life long scuba diver, I’ve always wanted to dive among them.

[@PhartGod]

I love your videos. You give so much insight into these incredible animals that I never paid much attention to. Just like the ones you did on hammerhead sharks and dragonflies. I highly recommend people check those two out if they haven't already!

[@KaiOfAspen]

I'd hang out with a manta ray , they seem like a friend that would be chill to come hangout on the weekends with

[@aleenaabidrao9754]

So that's why Nemo's teacher was a Manta Ray?

[@politecat4236]

I had no idea that were such massive sea flap flaps out there.

[@alayneperrott9693]

Excellent documentary. I learned a lot.

[@VTsimpingSan]

Love this, thanks for sharing!

[@KnowledgeCat]

Thanks for expanding my knowledge with this video!

[@noelsirrom]

It's always a good day when Real Science uploads.

[@stefansauvageonwhat-a-twis1369]

Theres a reason theyre so inspiring for sci-fi and fantasy, so strange, elegant and efficient

[@stenkarasin2091]

Fascinating information and all of it new to me, thank you.

[@Morganational]

I'm sure you know but the sound cuts out during one portion with Ms. Pate.

[@hypocriticalcritic6915]

I hope Curiosity Stream realizes that even if I did like their shows, I'm definitely not going to buy both separately now that I know they're totally okay with ripping Nebula off. I didn't buy the bundle for CS, I bought it for Nebula and I definitely don't appreciate that Nebula isn't getting the revenue they deserve from it.

[@0hMyLife]

How have I never found this channel before??? GREAT video!!! 👍 Now I'm gonna go watch more of your videos!! 😁

[@Streetsy]

I was lucky to dive with them in QLD. They watched us as closely as we watched them. One of those occasional amazing days you never forget.

[@stefanmarraccini8646]

Excellent nature doc! I saw one while diving in Puerto Vallarta as a kid at Los Tres Arcos. The state of the art scuba set up of the late 70s included a wire coat hanger to pull for reserve air. No safe second, no pressure gauges and scarier facts. Yet I live. 😆

[@vice.nor.virtue]

It has been a dream of mine since I was 15 to swim with these sublime creatures one day. I believe their majesty is unmatched by any other organism in the animal kingdom; their presence is so graciously epic that they seem more like creatures from a fantasy novel, a kind of godly being whose presence heralds the coming of some magnificent event. I feel that being in the presence of Giants Mantas is probably the closest humans could feel to witnessing an actual Angel. The idea that anyone could harm something so wonderous is unfathomable.

[@abc314pi]

As someone who has, you definitely have to do it someday. Truly majestic!

[@atomicsamurai8967]

This has quickly become my favorite channel.

[@mellory515]

I really enjoyed your video Th❤anks for sharing,it was very informative

[@seicohyo]

I always love to watch documentaries like this. I was waiting for rabbit my favorite animal

[@FRANKOSKI980]

Nature is amazing always surprised how we treat it like trash. We have this hubris we've figured things out only later to be surprised we had no idea. Great video as usual.

[@electricbaby7315]

i absolutely adore manta rays. i did a manta night dive a couple years back and it was honestly the most awe-inspiring thing i've ever been lucky enough to do. im not a religious person, but seeing these beautiful, graceful giants was the closet to spirituality i've been. one got so close it brushed my head as it swam above me. mantas will forever have a very special place in my heart

[@peterkephart7955]

Yet another brilliant video. Thank you.

[@Sidtheriser07]

Manta Rays!! Have always been curious about them.

[@madezra64]

Nothing like some awesome science facts on a Saturday morning :)

[@zachwilkens7524]

woww I can't believe Curiosity stream did that. That is such a bummer. Thanks for the amazing video as always.

[@edwardallan197]

Fascinating & fantastic. Thank you.

[@UncleRJ]

Imagine Manta Rays changing their patterns for HUMANS. That would fuxk some scientists up for sure.

[@cosmic_love_5]

What do you mean?

[@Majin_Fuu]

Presumably a rabbit hole of wondering why a manta ray would change to a specific color when in the presence of humans. Would be awfully interesting if that was the case ​@@cosmic_love_5

[@insert1coin436]

9:04 no audio

[@goaldan689]

I love this channel so much to an extend where I play their videos in the background during work, travel, before sleep, etc. Lots of love and support.🐋

[@pluspiping]

Before this video I already loved giant manta rays. Now, after watching this fascinating video with even more information new to me, I ADORE them. I hope the conservation efforts are successful and can help protect these amazing fish for generations to come.

[@mussarelinhagames146]

No audio at 8:54

[@ToastyFresh1]

It’s crazy to me how you can just leave a bunch of energized particles alone with the laws of physics and a boatload of time and stuff like this can just happen by itself. Wild

[@dannyhernandez265]

Agreed. There is no creator I believe, our existence just comes form atoms and “particles” as you mentioned.

[@qkqk6954]

Its crazy to me that you believe its crazy and still believe it.

[@ToastyFresh1]

@@qkqk6954 Just think about the fact that light and electricity always choose the path of least resistance when going through a medium, so how does anything exist at all? If aspects of the universe are inherently lazy and will take the easiest path then what caused anything come into existence in the first place? just because an idea is crazy doesn't mean we shouldn't think about it.

[@DanceFacility]

​@@qkqk6954 because there's quite a lot of evidence. Either way, anyone can believe whatever they want, just be respectful to other's beliefs.

[@ChrisCrossFilms.]

Saw them while diving in Bora Bora for the 1st time. Beautiful creatures indeed

[@vsssa1845]

whenever you release a video, it makes my day

[@xitheris1758]

Mantas in the last 100 years: "Woah! Where'd the Bubblers come from?" "They don't look or act like fish!" "Aliens, bruh!"

[@eatingsfun]

This was crazy in depth and cool, 8:52 to 9:02 is muted for me.

[@bobroberts8264]

this video was super interesting really enjoyed it

[@pierredecine1936]

Really enjoyed this - I Commercial Bottom Fished 30 years ago for 2 years- saw skates and Rays .

[@dajosh42069]

Also, THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME KNOW ABOUT THE BUNDLE SITUATION!! That REALLY sucks that Curiosity Stream would do that... Especially since, I'm almost certain that my "Bundle Subscription" just auto-renewed about 2 weeks ago!! :( But ill make certain to move my subscription over to Nebula directly. I think its a fantastic platform with a wealth of fantastic content. Truth be told, there's about 4-5 channels that I'd have loved to sign up through/for, but I ended up going with "History Buffs" because it's one of my all time favorite channels. I hope any/all bundle subscribers get the message, and move their subscriptions over to a direct Nebula subscription. Good luck on your upcoming Nebula original series, too!

[@hugoballs2133]

after watching the first 10 seconds, great as always!

[@jillianc949]

Manta are such fascinating creatures. I was lucky enough to be able to snorkle with them in Hawaii. I got terribly seasick but the mantas made it all worthwhile.

[@manta0731]

I love manta rays so much that i make it my nickname. They are beautiful creatures and a gentle giant. Thanks for the informative video😊

[@noelsirrom]

I wonder what would happen if it were to accidentally swallow someone

[@glory2cybertron]

It's disturbing how aquariums keep rays in too small tanks because the keepers don't understand how smart they are, and they do get very frustrated swimming in circles all day.