Baby manta rays stay in shallow coastal waters to avoid sharks and orcas

Summary

Young manta rays, called pups, stay in shallow coastal areas rather than the open ocean. Adult giant manta rays can grow up to 9 meters (30 feet) long, with a disk about 7 meters (23 feet) across, and weigh up to 2,000 kilograms (4,400 pounds), which leaves them with few natural enemies once they mature at around 8 to 10 years old. Their small size, however, does not protect pups from open-ocean predators, including several shark species and orcas, so the coastal shallows offer them space to grow.

Timeline

1. Popular Science

   22 Oct 2026, 04:00 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that adult manta rays can reach 30 feet long and weigh over 4,400 pounds, while coastal areas give young manta rays room to grow, so they stick to the shallows to avoid sharks and orcas.

2. Phys.org

   22 Oct 2026, 04:00 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that giant manta ray pups hunker down close to coasts because their size cannot protect them from open-ocean predators such as several shark species and orcas, while adults have very few natural enemies once they reach maturity at around 8 to 10 years old.