It’s one of the most unusual mating behaviors ever caught on film. Giant manta rays, which can weigh several tons when fully-grown, have been caught leaping up to 10 feet out of the water and flapping their fins in an attempt to glide in order to attract a mate. Apparently, the big air and massive splash-downs are just the thing needed to capture the attention of a lady ray. This unusual display was caught on film by amateur photographers Roland and Julie Seitre off the coast of the Central American country of Costa Rica.
“The males flapped their wings during the few seconds of flight, before hitting the surface with a loud banging noise,” said Mr. Seitre. “Some think it is a way to attract female attention as we saw pairs close by. The bangs are so loud it’s like you’re close to a hunting party with guns.”
Boy, it’s a good thing whales don’t leap out of the water… oh wait, they do, and sometimes those whales crash-land on yachts. The MLB’s Tampa Bay Rays were unavailable for comment, as they were too busy celebrating by beating the ocean with their baseball bats.
Tags: unusual animals, sea life, manta rays, giant manta rays, flying manta rays, manta rays caught flying, Roland Seitre, Julia Seitre, Costa Rica, unusual images, animal pictures