Whale sharks are majestic and graceful giants of the ocean. It can be an extremely humbling experience to get in the water and swim with these beautiful and gentle creatures. More closely resembling whales in many aspects, these giants are in fact part of the shark family. Whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) are the largest shark, and indeed largest of any fish alive today. They feed on plankton and travel large distances to find enough food to sustain their huge size, and to reproduce. Whale sharks are found in tropical locations around the globe. The maximum size of whale sharks is not known, but could be as large as 20m. Females give birth to live young but this has never been observed. Where pupping occurs and where the youngest animals situate remains a mystery, as they are very rarely found. Adults are often found feeding at the surface, but may dive to 1000m. Whale sharks are protected from fishing in many countries these days, but are in decline in some areas.
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Manta rays are the largest rays in the world. They are both highly intelligent and highly endangered creatures. Diving with manta rays is an incredible, nearly otherworldly experience, for those who've had the opportunity to experience seeing these graceful, gentle creatures up close. They are filter feeders: they swim with their mouths wide open, drawing in zooplankton and krill. Manta rays have the largest brain-to-size ratio of any cold-blooded fish. Studies have shown that manta rays may recognize themselves in the mirror, an ability indicative of high cognitive function, also shown by dolphins, primates, and elephants. Studies have also shown that manta rays are able to create mental maps of their environment, through smell and visual cues, indicating highly developed long-term memory. Manta rays can be found in many waters around the world. Of the two recognized species of manta, the smaller reef mantas often school in large numbers and are most commonly found on inshore reefs in the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific. The larger giant oceanic mantas are more widely distributed and tend to gather around offshore seamounts and islands.
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