Rays and manta rays are flattened relatives of sharks. Despite the fact that the names are very similar, these two species have important differences. Manta rays have fins separated from the body, their mouths often face forward, they can feed on filters and feed on plankton. They can measure up to 8 meters and do not have a poisonous sting. On the other hand, stingrays have a diamond-shaped body, mouth on the bottom, are smaller than manta rays, and usually have a poisonous sting.

Something they definitely have in common is that it is amazing to see them move freely through the water and to be lucky enough to swim alongside them! Stingrays stay close to the seabed and move in mesmerizing waves, while manta rays flap their wings up and down like a peaceful bird, ‘flying’ unhurriedly from one side to the other, looking for food and sea cleaning stations.

In Ecuador, we have one of the largest populations of giant manta rays in the world. Each giant manta ray has its own pattern of spots – like a fingerprint – that allows it to be identified. They arrive on the coast in May, like the whales, and stay until October. During their stay in Ecuador, they will feed themselves and use the sea spa to cleanse themselves of the parasites and bugs they have attached to their bodies. Further north in the Pacific, in the Gulf of California, another strange phenomenon is occurring. Every year, around the month of March, thousands of manta rays gather in the bay to breed and be protected from predators in the open sea. What is most impressive are the jumps and somersaults they perform out of the water. From the surface, you can hear the abs hitting each other: plop, plop! I can even do several jumps at once like synchronized swimming. It is not yet known exactly why manta rays jump. On the one hand, it is suggested that it is a male courtship ritual. On the other hand, it is thought that they do this to get rid of bugs or to scratch themselves. It is true that both males and females make these jumps. On one occasion I even saw a pregnant female do the belly thing.

Although manta rays are somewhat more protected in the Gulf of California than in the open sea, they still have a predator stalking them. It turns out that these flying tortillas are the orcas’ favorite snack. Imagine opening a big bag of chips or Doritos, just putting your hand inside and pulling out a handful, because that’s the same thing orcas feel when they see these large communities. Speaking of killer whales, these whales have been receiving a lot of media attention lately due to ‘attacks’ on ships, especially around the Iberian Peninsula. Orcas have been recorded hitting ships and even sinking them. There are many opinions about this unprecedented behavior, some think that it is a game between orcas, and others that it is a form of revenge. It is true that they are very intelligent and complex beings: they have traditions, culture and teachings. To know for sure why they do this, you’d have to be an orc. Or maybe a flying omelette. (OR)