Manta Rays Dive Way Deeper Than We Thought – Up To 1.2 Kilometers – To Explore The Seas

Researchers have conducted groundbreaking satellite tagging research on oceanic manta rays to understand their deep-diving behavior and navigation patterns.

Scientists tagged 24 oceanic manta rays across three locations in Indonesia, Peru, and New Zealand, collecting data from nearly 47,000 dives. The study revealed that manta rays can dive to extraordinary depths of over 1,200 meters, far exceeding previous estimates. These deep dives appear to help rays gather crucial environmental information including temperature, geomagnetic gradients, and oxygen levels to navigate vast ocean distances.

• Manta rays dive in stepped patterns rather than straight descents, possibly to adjust to temperature changes
• Deep dives are followed by extended surface time and long-distance horizontal travel covering up to 200 kilometers
• Diving behavior varies by location, with New Zealand rays diving deepest due to rapidly dropping seafloor topography
• The research suggests these dives help rays build "mental maps" for oceanic navigation rather than for feeding or predator avoidance