Like the whale shark, giant manta rays are the largest of their kind and filter feed on plankton. They can swim up to 15 mph (7 times faster than an average human), weigh up to 5,300 pounds, and live about 45 years on average. They have unique spot patterns on their underside, so individuals (like our animal ambassador) are easily recognized. Sprouting from their heads, what look like horns are cephalic lobes, which can be curled and folded in a number of ways. Uses for these include eating and communication with other rays. They are also visually distinct with black lines forming a "T" at the top of their head at the front, where other types of mantas (like the reef manta) may have a more rounded head, forming a "Y" instead.

Giant manta rays are migratory, so you won't often see one in the same place. They typically migrate following the direction the currents take their food, but a preference for warmer waters and other factors make their migrations somewhat unpredictable. They can be found in many places around the world, including every ocean from tropic to temperate, and even some coastal areas that provide plenty of food. Their high intelligence helps to decide the best location to stay and feed.

Despite their size, a giant manta ray has no real way of hurting people. Without a stinger or teeth, the worst it can do is slap someone across the head. That said, you should always keep your distance from wild animals, for your safety as much as theirs.

“How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number— living things both large and small.”

Psalms 104:24-25 (NIV)

Because of their size, giant manta rays have a habit of accidentally getting caught in nets or other fishing articles, regardless of whether or not they were the target. More importantly, their size also makes them easy to find for those who do want to kill them - including those harvesting their gill plates in the east. Sadly, these factors contribute to the giant manta ray's conservation status: Endangered.

That's a word no animal wants to be associated with, and sadly the giant manta ray has become part of the 30% of all sharks and rays threatened with extinction. Efforts to mitigate the slaughter of giant mantas are either light-handed in the west or non-existent in the east. Their very low breeding rate also contributes to decreasing numbers.

It's never a good circumstance when even pollution isn't an aquatic creature's greatest threat, but you can still help them by mitigating pollution in our oceans as much as you can. Help manta rays by recycling, taking care of your waste in responsible ways (visit Recycle Across America for more info). Additionally, picking up litter you see on beaches or bays could prevent toxic chemicals entering waters that manta rays inhabit.

An easy and fun way to help is by adopting a manta ray from the Marine Megafauna Foundation. Though it's a metaphorical adoption (you aren't really sponsoring a specific individual), you are still helping support manta ray research and conservation through the MMF.

It's important to remember why we conserve animals. While we rule over every living creature (Genesis 1:28), we are also called to care for God’s perfect creation and keep it fruitful so that future generations can enjoy it as we do. So, while not made in the image of God like we are, animals are still made by Him and we are disrespecting His handiwork if we are not protecting them.