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Manta Ray…?

Personally, I have always believed that manta rays are awesome.  The way they glide around in the water, their shape, their color, they’re just beautiful.  Today, while me and my mother were in a taxi leaving the Orlando International Airport on our way to the Renaissance Hotel, I saw a billboard for a roller coaster.  It’s called the Manta Ray Roller Coaster and it reminded me of a question that’s come to my mind many times… what the heck is a manta ray anyway?  Is it a fish?  Is it a shark?  A mammal?  WHAT IS IT?!  Well, according to wikiepdia, they are rays. (’Cause we couldn’t figure that out, right?)  Which brings up our next question:  Then… what’s a ray…?  Well, to be honest, I don’t know, but I’d like to find out.  Let’s find out what we can about them and what they do; then come to a conclusion about what they really are.

According to Wiki, they:

1. are cartilaginous fish.
2. are part of the superorder, ‘Batoidea’, and the order, ‘Rajiformes’, meaning the ‘true rays’.
3. live in the open sea.
4. are filter feeders and consume plankton.
5. have been commonly called Atlantic manta.
6. Also: Pacific manta, devilfish, and sometimes, simply manta.
7. are called Manta birostris in latin.
8. are the largest of rays.
9. live in the open ocean.
10. have a very thick coating of body mucus

Now, I’m sure that these probably aren’t the most awe-provoking  things you’ve ever heard, but what would you say if you found out that a.) they are so massive that it is rare to see them is captivity? (Although, I was lucky enough to actually swim with them!) or b.) a manta ray has been found on a sidewalk in California? (If you’re thinking “……?……”, then good! We’re on the same page!)

Alright, so, can we agree that these creatures are both really cool looking and a complete mystery?  If not then… well… you’re on your own, buddy! :]