Giant manta

The giant manta, the world’s largest ray, can reach approximately 6 meters in width when fully grown.
It looks very similar to the Alfred manta (max width 4 meters).
Manta rays were divided into two separate species in 2009.
The differences are in the color around their mouths, the patterns on their dorsal sides, and the shape and growth of their scales and teeth.
The giant manta is a pelagic species and there are few encounters near the coastal areas of Okinawa. There is limited knowledge about its ecology and reproduction.