Mata rays are the world’s biggest rays. Matas are divided into at least two species. The reef mata is Mata alfredi, and the gigatic oceanic mata is Mata birostris. Their looks are similar, and their ranges overlap, but the highland mata prefers the wide ocean, while the reef mata prefers shallower coastal areas.
The term “mata” means “matle or cloak,” which accurately describes the animal’s shape. Mata rays have large heads, triaglar pectoral fins, and ventral gill opeigs.The moiker “devil ray” comes from their hor-shaped cephalic fins. Both ray species have short, square teeth. Species differ in the shape of their ski deticles, color patterns, and tooth patterns.
The majority of matas are black or dark-colored on top, with distinct “sholders” and light undersides. Dark markings on the vernal surface are possible. There are other all-black creatures. M. birostris possesses a spike ear on its dorsal fin; however, it does not stick. M. birostris may grow to be 7 m (23 ft) wide, whereas M. alfredi can grow to be 5.5 m (18 ft) wide.
A large mata may weigh as much as 1350 kg (2980 lb). Mata rays must swim forward in order for oxygenated water to flow over their gills. The fish swim underwater by waving their pectoral fins, or “flying.” Despite their size, mata rays regularly penetrate the air. The fish are said to be very clever because they have one of the greatest brain-to-body mass ratios.
Mata rays may be found in tropical and subtropical waters all around the world. They have been spotted as far north as North Carolina (31N) in the United States and as far south as New Zealand (36S), yet they only wade into temperate waters where the water temperature is at least 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit).
Both species are pelagic, meaning they live mostly in the open ocean. From spring through fall, they are plentiful in coastal seas. They may move up to 1000 km (620 mi) and live at depths ranging from sea level to 1000 m (3300 ft). Throughout the day, mata rays swim along the beach.At night, they go deeper.
Mata rays are filter feeders that feed on zooplankton like krill, shrimp, and crab larvae. Matas sig both the sight and the scene.A mata herds its meal by swimming around it in circles, allowing the correet to gather the plakto. The light ray passes through the large aperture of the food ball.
Particles are channeled into the mouth by the cephalic fins and collected by the gill arches. Matig happens at various times of the year and is dependent on the geographic location of the mata. Cortship appears to be iclde fish swimming in “trais,” which ted to occur frequently drig fll moos.
The male always grabs the left pectoral fin of the female.He then rotates her belly to belly and puts a clasper on her cloaca. Gestation is thought to last 12 to 13 months. Inside the female, the egg casings hatch. One to two puppies will actually emerge. Females give birth every two years, on average.
Males mate at a younger and smaller age than females. Females typically mature between the ages of 8 and 10 years. Matas may survive in the wild for up to 50 years. Matas are preyed upon by killer whales and great white sharks. Cookie-cutter sharks may inflict potentially deadly damage by taking “cookie-shaped” bites from their victims.
