Species Guide
Stingrays & Manta Rays
Flattened cartilaginous relatives of sharks that glide through the water using wing-like pectoral fins.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Chondrichthyes
- Superorder
- Batoidea
- Species
- 500+ species, 13 families
- Other Names
- Batoids
Quick Facts
- Largest
- Manta Ray: wingspan to 25 ft
- Smallest
- Short-Nose Electric Ray: 4 in, 1 lb
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Skeleton
- Cartilage (no bones)
- Habitat
- Mostly sea floor, coastal waters
- Status
- Varies by species
Habitat & Range
Batoidea, the superorder containing rays and skates, includes more than 500 described species across thirteen families. Most rays live on the sea floor in coastal waters, though a few species inhabit deeper water. Their skeletons are made entirely of a tough, elastic cartilage rather than bone.
Diet & Behavior
All rays are carnivores, hunting fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and worms on or near the ocean floor. Their flattened bodies and elongated tails vary widely by species — many stingrays carry a venomous barbed tail for defense, while manta rays propel themselves with powerful, wing-like pectoral fins that ripple and flap through open water.
Did You Know?
Size & Conservation
The manta ray is the largest ray species, with wingspans recorded up to 25 feet across, while the short-nose electric ray is among the smallest at just 4 inches wide and 1 pound. Conservation status varies by species; manta rays in particular face pressure from the trade in their gill rakers.
Notable Species
- Giant Manta Ray
- Mobula birostris — largest ray, wingspan to 25 ft
- Reef Manta Ray
- Mobula alfredi — smaller manta, coastal reefs
- Southern Stingray
- Hypanus americanus — common in shallow Atlantic waters
- Bluespotted Ribbontail Ray
- Taeniura lymma — small, brightly spotted reef species
- Spotted Eagle Ray
- Aetobatus narinari — spotted pattern, open water swimmer
- Electric Ray
- Order Torpediniformes — generates electric shocks to stun prey
Want to meet the rest of the family? Browse the full Species Directory →
