Mobula Ray Pictures Reveal Spectacular Leaps

The Telegraph (UK) ^ | 11-23-2007 | Paul Eccleston

[burroak]

ARRRRRGH!

Delete this thread immediately.

These photos obviously support the Darwinian theory of evolution. This is evidence of that missing transitional link between fish and birds.

[Calvin Locke]

Perhaps you should talk to Steve Irwin about some rays...

My only experience with the ray family has been with skates. Skates will lie on the sea floor, and flap their wings to get sand to cover the wing edge for disguise.

Scuba diving, I was going after a lobster, and kneeled on one. Scared the heck out of me, even though it probably only had a 2ft or so span.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Flying might be the only way to escape from the squids.

Regarding the Humboldt squid:

In Search of the Red Demon

[capt. norm]

When entering the Panama City channel from offshore, we often see regular old ordinary manta rays do some neat jumps.

I've been told the vibration from our props (46" diameter X 4 Detroit Diesel 16V92's at about 1100 hp per shaft) sets them off and that does seem to be the case.

It's kinda' neat because when they come back down from their leap and do their huge "belly floppers" it sounds like a shotgun discharge. They're not coordinated like dolphins, but once one ray has jumped, it seems to get the rest of them started.

[Erasmus]

Some new Cousteau should invent a “SCOOTWBA” for them.

[RetiredArmy]

IS GLOBAL WARMING CAUSING THE WATER TO BOIL AND THESE POOR, POOR RAYS HAVE TO JUMP OUT OF THE HOT BOILING WATER TO COOL DOWN IN THE LAVA HOT SUN???????????????????????????

[Mrs. Don-o]

The locals call it “Sea of Cortés.” My map calls it “Gulf of California.” I was confused, too, until I realized it was two names for the same geographic feature.