Manta rays are belong to the genus Manta. The larger species, M .birostris, can go up as long as 7 m (23 ft) in width while the smaller, M. alfredi, is 5.5 m (18 ft). Both of these species of manta have triangular pectoral fins, horn-shaped cephalic fins and large, forward-facing mouths. They are classified among the Elasmobrachii (Sharks and rays) and are a part of the eagle ray family Myliobatidae.
Mantas can be found in temperature, subtropical as eel as tropical waters. Both species are pelagic; M. birostris migrates across open oceans, singly or in groups, while M. alfredi tends to be resident and coastal (does not migrate). They are Filter feeders and eat large quantities of zooplancton, which they swallow with their open mouths as they swim. Gestation lasts over a year, producing live pups. Mantas visit cleaning stations for the removal of parasite. Like whales, they breach (or call), for reasons we do not know.