Oceanic Manta Ray
Mobula birostris
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Cordats)
- ClassElasmobranchii
- OrderMyliobatiformes (Stingrays)
- FamilyMyliobatidae (Eagle Rays)
- GenusMobula (Devil Rays)
- SpeciesMobula birostris (Oceanic Manta Ray)
The giant oceanic manta ray, giant manta ray, oceanic manta ray, or pelagic manta ray (Mobula birostris) is a species of ray in the family Mobulidae and the largest type of ray in the world. It is circumglobal and is typically found in tropical and subtropical waters but can also be found in temperate waters. Until 2017, the species was classified in the genus Manta, along with the smaller reef manta ray (Mobula alfredi). DNA testing revealed that both mantas are closer related to some Mobula species than these are to other Mobula, being claded together. As a result, the two Manta species were absorbed into Mobula to reflect the new classification. Wikipedia →
20–30% of wildlife watchers report a Oceanic Manta Ray sighting in Galápagos Islands, based on 54 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.
Closest Relatives at Galápagos Islands
📅 Monthly Probability
☀️ When They're Spotted
Most active during daytime hours (6am–6pm) · across all parks (global)
Global Distribution
Where this species is recorded worldwide. Restricted to human observations from 2019 onwards — the same kind of record and the same period the probabilities on this page are built from, so collar-tracking studies, camera-trap arrays and museum specimens are excluded. Around Santa Rosa that removes 5,924 GPS fixes from a handful of tagged jaguars.
where this species is recorded (GBIF density — it tracks where observers go, not how likely a sighting is) · parks where it occurs — tap a pin for the sighting probability there
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Galápagos Islands | 🇪🇨 Ecuador | |
| 2 | Isla del Coco National Park | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | |
| 3 | Coiba National Park | 🇵🇦 Panama | |
| 4 | Machalilla National Park | 🇪🇨 Ecuador | |
| 5 | Ningaloo Marine Park | 🇦🇺 Australia |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Oceanic Manta Ray in Galápagos Islands?
About 23% of wildlife watchers report a Oceanic Manta Ray sighting in Galápagos Islands, based on 54 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Oceanic Manta Ray in Galápagos Islands?
March has the highest sighting rate for Oceanic Manta Ray in Galápagos Islands in our monthly data.