devil ray
Winged sea creature
Devil ray is any of several large rays in the family Mobulidae, characterized by wing-like pectoral fins and horn-shaped cephalic fins flanking the mouth.
They include manta rays and their smaller relatives.
Despite their ominous name, devil rays are harmless filter feeders that glide through open water consuming plankton: We spotted a devil ray breaching off the coast.
Of the open sea
- tropicalOf hot, humid regions
- subtropicalClimate near the tropics
- open oceanSea far from shore
- reefUnderwater rock or coral formation
migratory · coastal · Indo-Pacific · Mediterranean · Atlantic · Gulf of Mexico · warm waters · surface waters
Engineless aerial movement
- soaringRising effortlessly upward
- breachingBreaking through something
- leapingSpringing into air
- acrobaticInvolving spectacular physical feats
graceful · undulating · hovering · drifting · aerial · flight · wingbeat · propulsion
Fish steering appendages
- gill slitsRespiratory openings in fish
- wingspanTip-to-tip extent
- dorsal finFish's rear stabilizer
- cartilaginousComposed of flexible connective tissue
Open to attack
- endangeredAt risk of extinction
- bycatchNon-target species caught accidentally
- fishing netsMesh for catching seafood
- gill netMesh barrier catching fish
overfishing · CITES · protected · threatened · population decline · marine conservation · sustainable · wildlife trade
Surface swimming with breathing tube
- scubaPortable underwater breathing gear
- underwater photographyPhotographing subjects beneath water
- ecotourismConservation-minded nature tourism
- marine sanctuaryProtected ocean habitat area
aggregation · cleaning station · night dive · bucket list · whale shark · Azores · Maldives · Baja California
pelagic
Of the open sea
- tropicalOf hot, humid regions
- subtropicalClimate near the tropics
- open oceanSea far from shore
reef · migratory · coastal · Indo-Pacific · Mediterranean · Atlantic · Gulf of Mexico · warm waters · surface waters · continental shelf
gliding
Engineless aerial movement
acrobatic · graceful · undulating · hovering · drifting · aerial · flight · wingbeat · propulsion · spinning
pectoral fins
Fish steering appendages
- gill slitsRespiratory openings in fish
- wingspanTip-to-tip extent
- dorsal finFish's rear stabilizer
cartilaginous · filter feeder · spiracles · disc-shaped · countershading
vulnerable
Open to attack
- endangeredAt risk of extinction
- bycatchNon-target species caught accidentally
- fishing netsMesh for catching seafood
gill net · overfishing · CITES · protected · threatened · population decline · marine conservation · sustainable · wildlife trade
snorkeling
Surface swimming with breathing tube
- scubaPortable underwater breathing gear
- underwater photographyPhotographing subjects beneath water
- ecotourismConservation-minded nature tourism
marine sanctuary · aggregation · cleaning station · night dive · bucket list · whale shark · Azores · Maldives · Baja California