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And manta rays have the biggest brains of all species of fish, causing many to remark about how smart they are. Diving or snorkeling with mantas is considered to be the safest large animal encounter in the world since manta rays neither bite nor sting. Manta rays have marks that distinguish them along their underside, almost similar to how humans are identified by our fingerprints.
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The implementation of protected marine areas benefits the entire local marine ecosystem and improves the underwater experience for visitors hoping to catch a glimpse of a manta ray. Sadly, both species are listed as ‘vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List, however, more countries are starting to recognize the importance of safeguarding these key species. The larger giant oceanic mantas are more widely distributed and tend to gather around offshore seamounts and islands. Of the two recognized species of manta, the smaller reef mantas often school in large numbers and are most commonly found on inshore reefs in the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific.
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Person after person has described these encounters as “sheer joy” because there’s nothing quite like being in the ocean and having a manta ray swim right up to you, and look you in the eye. Diving with manta rays is an incredible, nearly otherworldly experience, for those who’ve had the opportunity to experience seeing these graceful, gentle creatures up close.