The tail on a manta ray does not contain a barb, which effectively makes them harmless to humans. Manta Ray vs Stingray: TailĪside from their size, one of the most significant differences separating a manta ray vs stingray is their tails. That said, they still mainly congregate in warmer subtropical and tropical waters. They live in the open ocean, along the seafloor, near reefs, and also in freshwater rivers. Meanwhile, stingrays enjoy a much wider distribution and live in more varied habitats. Overall, they prefer warm temperate, subtropical, and tropical waters. They range as far north as North Carolina and as far south as northern New Zealand. Manta rays typically either live in the open ocean or along reefs near the coastline. Similarly, giant freshwater stingrays can grow up to 8 feet wide and weigh up to 800 pounds. Yet, the short-tail stingray can reach up to 6.9 feet wide and weigh over 770 pounds. For example, the Atlantic stingray typically only measures 10 inches wide and weighs a mere five pounds. On the other hand, stingrays range from the size of a dinner plate to massive specimens only slightly smaller than a manta ray. Right behind these giants ranks the reef manta ray, which can reach up to 18 feet wide. The giant oceanic ray is the largest ray in the world and can reach lengths up to 23 feet wide and weigh nearly 2,980 pounds. Manta Ray vs Stingray: Sizeĭepending on the species of stingray, manta rays and stingrays can vary wildly in terms of size. They include Hexatrygonidae (sixgill stingrays), Plesiobatidae (deepwater stingrays), Urolophidae (stingarees), Urotrygonidae (round rays), Dasyatidae (whiptail stingrays), Potamotrygonidae (river stingrays), Gymnuridae (butterfly rays), and the previously mentioned Myliobatidae. Meanwhile, stingrays belong to eight respective families. However, most scientists now identify it as a distinct family separate from the eagle rays.
For years, many scientists considered Mobulidae a subfamily of Myliobatidae or the eagle ray family. Manta rays belong to the family Mobulidae. While they contain similar attributes, including flattened, boneless bodies and enlarged pectoral fins, the two belong to different families. Manta rays and stingrays belong to the order Myliobatiformes, one of the four groups belonging to the superorder Batoidea. The 9 Key Differences Between Manta Rays and Stingrays Our manta ray snorkel tours offers a wonderful experience to get up close and personal with these graceful creatures. Here’s a good article by Patrick Sather for A-Z Animals on the difference between manta rays and stingrays.
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