Manta rays are beautiful and majestic animals that have a life-changing effect on people who meet them. I want to protect them so humans can experience their transformational power for generations to come! My goal is to inspire people so they take action to protect the mantas' ecosystem and oceans all around the world.
Unravelling the mysteries of the manta rays
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Manta rays are still mysterious creatures simply because we still know so little about them. Today, I am happy to share a bunch of reading material we've gathered over time to shine a brighter light on the gentle giants—so buckle up. 😊 Here is the beautiful part: humans have increasingly spent time observing and collecting data on manta appearance and behavior, giving us a chance to learn more about them. As recent as July 2025, the discovery (or rather, recognition) of a third species of manta ray is a good example. It is fascinating to learn that mantas are technically cold-blooded but can warm parts of their bodies to help them swim and potentially even think faster. Did you know that a manta's skin is slimy on the surface due to a mucus coating, but its body is covered with tiny teeth underneath? This helps mantas move fast and execute intricate swimming techniques while spending minimal energy. We had a blast discovering how scientists research manta swimming mechanisms, writing about the technologies used to track manta rays, and diving deeper into the movements and migratory patterns of reef mantas. All of these discoveries also meant that we desperately needed an update on what we thought we knew about mantas, so check out our brand new article about the anatomy of manta rays. Many more steps need to be taken to protect the gentle giants, and one of these is to learn everything we can about them. We know they're essential to underwater ecosystems and coral reefs worldwide. Mantas inspire engineers, medical scientists, artists, and designers every day. Still, manta rays are among the many creatures affected by human activity, and we should all take action now to mitigate the damage to our planet; if not for ourselves, then for our children and future generations. Please share this information with friends, family members, and anyone who will listen.
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Martina Wing
Manta rays are beautiful and majestic animals that have a life-changing effect on people who meet them. I want to protect them so humans can experience their transformational power for generations to come! My goal is to inspire people so they take action to protect the mantas' ecosystem and oceans all around the world.
Aloha Reader, I often wonder and sometimes get frustrated about laws that are supposed to protect the natural world and its inhabitants. Why does environmental legislation (like the regulation of manta ray tourism) take so long to implement, even when there's overwhelming public support for it? In this episode of the Ocean Wings podcast, I sat down with Hawaii State Representative Nicole Lowen to talk about what happens behind the scenes. She chairs the Energy and Environmental Protection...
Aloha Reader, So many kids say they want to work with animals when they grow up, but most end up doing something completely different. Our newest crew member, Ashley Jacob, didn't. At 12, she watched a movie about a dolphin with a prosthetic tail and decided she wanted to work with marine life in rescue and rehabilitation. Today, she's a swim guide at Manta Ray Advocates while finishing her master's thesis and training students in California to continue the elephant seal research she began....
Aloha Reader, As we enter 2026, I find myself reflecting on what motivates me after years of working with the manta rays. It’s not only the thrill of encountering the gentle giants underwater - which never loses its magic - but also the realization that people like you genuinely care. It’s inspiring to see that care translates into meaningful action. We can’t do everything, and none of us can be held responsible for the state of the world, but we can all take action in our own way. For me,...