Aerial displays by mobula rays
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382240)
Rockingham, Australia
August 28, 2018 7:38pm CST
I don’t have a photo of mobula rays, which is what this post is about, so here is the tail of a whale.
Someone sent us this link of mobula rays cavorting in the ocean. They are found in tropical and warm temperate waters and are known for their love of breaching. There are a number of species which have disc widths that vary from 1.1 metres to 5.2 metres (3.6–17.1 ft). The largest are only slightly smaller than the better known manta rays which can reach 5.5 to 7 metres (18 to 23 feet).
Most species lack a tail stinger or, if they have one, it is encased. Only one has a free stinger.
Parts of this clip remind me of a ballet performance although not so much the belly flops. Both sexes display this leaping-out-of-the-water behaviour either for sheer pleasure or to catch the eye of the opposite sex. I guess some creatures are impressed by belly flops.
SUBSCRIBE for more BBC highlights: https://bit.ly/2IXqEIn Programme website: http://bbc.co.uk/shark Hoping to attract a mate, Mobula Rays leap out of the wat...
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13 responses
@DWDavis (25797)
• United States
29 Aug 18
Rays are fascinating creatures. Around here we don't have any large rays, but the cow nose rays can put on quite a spectacle when they come to shallow water to mate. Thousands of them crowd around and turn the water into a frothing maelstrom.
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@snowy22315 (209014)
• United States
29 Aug 18
That is very interesting actually!
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@JudyEv (382240)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Aug 18
I love the way they shoot straight out of the water. And some of it was like synchronised swimming.
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
29 Aug 18
That was a whale of a tale.
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@Starmaiden (9308)
• Canada
29 Aug 18
They are beautiful creatures while in their natural habitat. 

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@changjiangzhibin89 (17242)
• China
29 Aug 18
It is a strange animal.Small wonder some associated it to demon . I haven't seen it personally ,except on TV.
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@RasmaSandra (98033)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
29 Aug 18
Thank you for sharing. This is interesting I have never heart of mobula rays before just sting rays.
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@moffittjc (128837)
• Gainesville, Florida
29 Aug 18
I can give them a run for their money with my own bellyflops! haha
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@moffittjc (128837)
• Gainesville, Florida
31 Aug 18
@JudyEv You haven't seen me belly-flop before! It's epic!
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@JudyEv (382240)
• Rockingham, Australia
31 Aug 18
@moffittjc Epic? Wow, now I'm impressed!
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