Two Guys SportsAnswering Some Questions about Rays (manta, sting, etc.)
September 23rd 2008 03:57
Information About Rays
I posted an amazing Image of the Day yesterday that has raised some questions about rays. Lilla posed many of them. I had them in my head already, but figured maybe I was the only one wondering about them. Once I found someone else was too I went in search of some facts about them.
The first information I found was at www.worldscreatures.com
Rays are a type of flattened fish and are closely related to sharks. Rays are a result of the evolutional (They meant to say evolutionary, I think.) cycle of sharks. Rays are social animals that live all over the world in oceans, and even are found in some channels where fresh water flows into the ocean. Rays often come together in huge groups of up to thousands of individuals, but other rays live alone.
Like the shark Rays are also Invertebrates with no bones. Their skeleton is made of cartilage, which is a tough, fibrous substance, not nearly as hard as bone.
That answered many of the questions. They are indeed a social animal. I never knew. They often come together in groups of up to thousands! Again, I never knew. Although now that I know this image I posted wasn’t just some sort of freak occurrence – it is one of my “dreams” to see this in person before I die. I did know they were related to sharks.
As I continued on in my research I found some astounding stats about rays.
They are from the order called Batoidea.
The largest family is Mobulidae – the manta rays (devil rays or devilfish). A manta can weigh up to 3.000 pounds, and have a width of up to 22 feet. Wow! They actually use their “horns” that give them their devilish name to stuff their prey into their mouths.
There are so many types of rays. I will describe a few here. As well as point out some odd facts.
Torpedinidae – the electric ray or torpedo has an electric organ in their wings that actually generates an electrical current. They use if for defense and to stun their prey. Apparently the ancient Greeks would use them for shock therapy, as the current is strong enough to stun a human. I have seen one of these in an aquarium before. They have an audio system set up in the tank with a speaker outside of it that allowed us to hear the electrical current the generated in the tank. It is a more common practice on the electric eel tanks. It really is amazing to be able to hear it though, even with the eels.
Dasyatidae - the stingrays or whiprays is probably the best-known ray of them all.They have rows of spines along their tails which are normally longer than their bodies. The spines contain a poison that causes intense pain and can be fatal to humans.
This is the variety of ray that Steve Irwin was swimming with when he died in a tragic accident. It however was not the poison that killed him, but instead the massive blood loss caused when Irwin pulled the spine from his body in what I can only imagine was a reflexive action. I can see why he was swimming with them and filming them though. They truly are a beautiful and majestic animal which are generally docile toward humans.
There are some 500 species of rays, divided into 18 different families, including: skates, eagles or bat rays, guitarfishes, and sawfishes.
The rays reproduction system is one of internal fertilization, with most bearing live young. The skates variety however lays a flattened rectangular egg that is enclosed in a leathery shell. They empty egg casings can be found on beaches and are known as "mermaids' purses."
Rays are scattered about in tropical and sub-tropical marine waters. Although, some families include a temperate or cold-water species. Certain rays can actually live in brackish bays and estuaries. The sawfish enters into the freshwater of lakes and rivers.
Again, I need to say they are a beautiful, amazing, and no matter how much you learn about them, a puzzling creature. The latter of which I am sure is a key reason Irwin was with them. He wanted to help us all learn more about them. It was just the type of person he was. I had fun finding out more about them, and hope you did too.
I posted an amazing Image of the Day yesterday that has raised some questions about rays. Lilla posed many of them. I had them in my head already, but figured maybe I was the only one wondering about them. Once I found someone else was too I went in search of some facts about them.
The first information I found was at www.worldscreatures.com
Rays are a type of flattened fish and are closely related to sharks. Rays are a result of the evolutional (They meant to say evolutionary, I think.) cycle of sharks. Rays are social animals that live all over the world in oceans, and even are found in some channels where fresh water flows into the ocean. Rays often come together in huge groups of up to thousands of individuals, but other rays live alone.
That answered many of the questions. They are indeed a social animal. I never knew. They often come together in groups of up to thousands! Again, I never knew. Although now that I know this image I posted wasn’t just some sort of freak occurrence – it is one of my “dreams” to see this in person before I die. I did know they were related to sharks.
As I continued on in my research I found some astounding stats about rays.
They are from the order called Batoidea.
Manta Ray
an Electric Ray
Stingray
This is the variety of ray that Steve Irwin was swimming with when he died in a tragic accident. It however was not the poison that killed him, but instead the massive blood loss caused when Irwin pulled the spine from his body in what I can only imagine was a reflexive action. I can see why he was swimming with them and filming them though. They truly are a beautiful and majestic animal which are generally docile toward humans.
There are some 500 species of rays, divided into 18 different families, including: skates, eagles or bat rays, guitarfishes, and sawfishes.
a Spotted Eagle Ray (bat ray)
a Shovelnose Guitarfish
a Green Sawfish - you can see why this unusual ray is named a sawfish. Nature is amazing.
Rays even intermingle with other species apparently. On the left is a guitarfish, on the right an eagle ray.
The rays reproduction system is one of internal fertilization, with most bearing live young. The skates variety however lays a flattened rectangular egg that is enclosed in a leathery shell. They empty egg casings can be found on beaches and are known as "mermaids' purses."
Rays are scattered about in tropical and sub-tropical marine waters. Although, some families include a temperate or cold-water species. Certain rays can actually live in brackish bays and estuaries. The sawfish enters into the freshwater of lakes and rivers.
Again, I need to say they are a beautiful, amazing, and no matter how much you learn about them, a puzzling creature. The latter of which I am sure is a key reason Irwin was with them. He wanted to help us all learn more about them. It was just the type of person he was. I had fun finding out more about them, and hope you did too.
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Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
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Thoroughly enjoyed reading your (extra) post, thank you.
Wonderful creatures, no doubts.
I discovered that your feature picture was the spectacular scene captured as these magnificent creatures made one of their biannual mass migrations to more agreeable waters.
Gliding silently beneath the waves they turned vast areas of blue water to gold off the northern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula.
The rays in your feature pic are apparently can measure up to 7ft (2.1 metres) from wing-tip to wing-tip, Golden rays are also more prosaically known as cow nose rays.
AWESOME!
That green sawfish Ray is just unbelievable, isnt it?
Thanks for the extra information, very enjoyable jaunt. (I am still suspicious of Steve's sudden interest in them and have suspended my final decision on it, until later)...
Lilla ...
Comment by Two Guys Sports
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Oh, thanks for your extra research too. My dream is even more alive now. the Yucatan Peninsula is relatively close to me here in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
It would be nice to find how the evolution of it led to the sawfish looking that way. I mean birds evolve their beaks over centuries to adapt the way they need it. Fish changed over time to make themselves either faster or more powerful depending on what was needed to survive. How does a normal ray grow this weird looking thing on its "nose."
Again, nature truly is unique and amazing.
Gene
Comment by Jim Stillman
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Comment by Two Guys Sports
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Yes, I left them out. Although i think they have a decent shot at moving past the first round. I think they will lose to the Angels though. All in all I think their season has already been a huge success, even if they lose in the first round.
Gene
Comment by Ruth Moratz
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Comment by James Rickard
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Angling Fish
A fascinating post!!!!!
Comment by James Rickard
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Comment by Two Guys Sports
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We had a huge one at our Aquarium here in Tulsa. When it went by the glass in front of us I swear its wings from tip to tip were mush wider then my outstretched arms.
Did you click the Image of the Day link up there to see the best image of them all?
Gene
Comment by Two Guys Sports
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The one with the "human face" on YouTube? That's pretty scary.
I guess they go after the same baits as the sharks too. Makes sense though.
Gene
Comment by James Rickard
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Comment by D. Armenta
The Florida Keys and Everglades
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I have swum with Southern rays (the ones you called "whipsaw", that Steve Irwin had an accident with, many many times as a divemaster.
The island of Grand Cayman has a site called "Stingray City" (in the ocean, not in an enclosure) where hundreds of Southern Rays come to eat fish provided by snorkelers and divers. I've seen these rays being punched, kicked, stepped on and otherwise by panicky tourists with nary an injury to the abusers; Rays are very gentle creatures. The females are the social ones-males tend to hang back.
Steve Irwin's premature death was a tragedy. I'd bet my house and farm, though, that Mr. Irwin would have defended the Rays had he known of the wave of killing his death sparked.
Also, another fact: the difference between Rays and Skates is that Skates do not have the poisonous spine.
Comment by Two Guys Sports
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I envy you for having had the chance to swim with them. Also thanks for the added info.
I do totally agree, and think that Irwin would have defended the rays with his dying breathe.
Gene
Comment by Two Guys Sports
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They just showed a huge group of rays like in the picture only this group was much deeper in the ocean and in a tighter pack. It was their mating time. It is even more of an amazing image when you see them in motion by the way.
I suspect I will be writing some more posts on sea life some time soon.
Gene
Comment by D. Armenta
The Florida Keys and Everglades
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Thanks for the inspiration.
Comment by Two Guys Sports
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I would love to read about them. Glad I could be of some help stirring up the ideas.
Gene