Rays are flat, graceful relatives of sharks that glide through the ocean like underwater birds. From tiny guitarfish to giant mantas, they are some of the most beautiful animals on the reef.
Rays evolved from a shark ancestor over 200 million years ago. Their wide wing-like pectoral fins let them glide effortlessly through water. Like sharks, rays have a skeleton made of cartilage and use electroreception to find hidden prey. Many species are now threatened by fishing and habitat loss.
Manta rays have the largest brain-to-body ratio of any cold-blooded fish and may recognize themselves in mirrors.
Rays breathe through spiracles â small openings behind their eyes â so they can rest on the seafloor without burying their gills.
Eagle rays can leap completely out of the water. Scientists believe they may do it to shed parasites, communicate, or simply for fun!
