MadSci Network: General Biology
Query:

Re: Can A Mantaray tip over a Yacht - and proof?

Date: Thu Dec 12 18:41:40 2002
Posted By: Ruth Allard, Conservation Biologist
Area of science: General Biology
ID: 1038882682.Gb
Message:

Hi Elizabeth,

Hmm, interesting question.  I thought manta rays were much too small to do 
that kind of damage, but it turns out that the largest manta ray on record 
(in scientific literature) was measured at 22 feet, although some have 
been reported up to nearly 30 feet.  Wow!! I'd love to see one that big.  
Most manta rays don't get bigger than about 12 feet across.

So I guess I'd need to know how big the yacht you're thinking of is.  I 
think of yachts as being big boats, so I doubt a manta ray could actually 
tip one over.  I can't prove that, but here's some more information from 
Reef Quest Expeditions, originally gathered for Shark Research Institute.  
Their Web site says that:

"There are numerous reports, mostly anecdotal, of harpooned Mantas leaping 
on small vessels and smashing them or their occupants. Some of these cases 
may have resulted in the death of one or more people due to crushing or 
drowning, but it must be borne in mind that the animal was simply trying 
to defend itself. Divers have sometimes been injured accidentally while 
trying to ride or photograph Mantas from too close. But there is no record 
of an unprovoked Manta attacking or injuring a person."


Most information on manta rays refers to them as gentle and/or harmless, 
so I don't think they're likely to tip over yachts.  They might brush or 
bang up against yachts if they're disturbed, but my guess is that that's 
about it.  

Good luck with your project,
Ruth








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