Gliding Into World Manta Day

Today we celebrate the gentle giants of the sea: manta rays. World Manta Day is all about raising awareness for these magnificent ocean pancakes (with wings).

Mantas can grow up to 7 meters across, making them the largest rays in the world, yet they’re completely harmless—filter-feeding on plankton and small fish while looking like underwater spaceships. If aliens ever visit Earth, they might just blend right in with a manta ray squadron.

Fun fact: mantas have the largest brain-to-body ratio of any fish. So not only are they stunning, they’re clever too—basically the ocean’s version of beauty and brains. They’ve even been observed showing curiosity, problem-solving skills, and possibly a sense of self-awareness. (Meanwhile, most of us struggle to find our keys.)

Sadly, mantas face threats from overfishing and pollution, so today is also a reminder to protect their ocean home.

So, whether you’re diving, snorkeling, or just binge-watching nature docs, take a moment to appreciate the manta ray—proof that the ocean really knows how to design something spectacular.