How do manta rays eat tiny plankton without teeth?
Quick Answer
Manta rays filter feed by swimming with their mouths open and using gill rakers to trap plankton. They can process huge volumes of water to collect tiny prey.
The Full Story
Manta rays are giant filter feeders, but unlike whales they do not use baleen. Instead, they swim with open mouths and direct water through specialized gill structures that trap plankton and small fish. Their cephalic fins help funnel food-rich water toward the mouth. Because plankton is so small and scattered, manta rays often feed by making repeated passes through productive water. This feeding method lets them grow into some of the largest rays in the ocean.
Key Facts
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