{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Taxon",
  "slug": "manta-ray",
  "name": "Manta Ray",
  "scientificName": "Mobula birostris",
  "category": "Fish",
  "summary": "The giant manta ray (Mobula birostris) is the largest ray in the ocean, with a wingspan reaching up to 7 m (23 ft) and a weight of up to 1,400 kg (3,000 lb). It swims through tropical and subtropical open seas by flapping its broad pectoral fins like wings, filtering plankton from the water. Despite its size it is harmless to people, and it can live 40 years or more. The IUCN lists it as Endangered.",
  "conservationStatus": "Endangered",
  "taxonomy": {
    "kingdom": "Animalia",
    "phylum": "Chordata",
    "class": "Chondrichthyes",
    "order": "Myliobatiformes",
    "family": "Mobulidae",
    "genus": "Mobula"
  },
  "stats": {
    "weightKg": 1400,
    "lengthM": 7,
    "topSpeedKmh": 35,
    "lifespanYears": 40
  },
  "facts": [
    {
      "label": "Scientific name",
      "value": "Mobula birostris"
    },
    {
      "label": "Diet",
      "value": "Filter feeder (plankton)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Habitat",
      "value": "Tropical and subtropical open ocean"
    },
    {
      "label": "Lifespan",
      "value": "Up to 40 years or more"
    },
    {
      "label": "Weight",
      "value": "Up to 1,400 kg (3,000 lb)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Wingspan",
      "value": "Up to 7 m (23 ft) across"
    },
    {
      "label": "Conservation status",
      "value": "Endangered (IUCN)"
    }
  ],
  "range": {
    "nativeRange": "Tropical and subtropical waters worldwide, near reefs, seamounts, and the open ocean.",
    "continents": [
      "Oceans"
    ]
  },
  "sources": [
    {
      "citation": "IUCN Red List — Mobula birostris.",
      "url": "https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Mobula%20birostris&searchType=species"
    },
    {
      "citation": "Animal Diversity Web — Mobula birostris. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.",
      "url": "https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Mobula_birostris/"
    },
    {
      "citation": "Wikipedia — Manta Ray.",
      "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_oceanic_manta_ray"
    }
  ],
  "lastReviewed": "2026-07-16",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/manta-ray/",
  "license": {
    "name": "CC BY-NC 4.0",
    "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
    "attribution": "Global Animal Guide — https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/manta-ray/",
    "note": "Free to reuse for non-commercial purposes with attribution and a link back to the canonical page."
  }
}