Stingrays are captivating marine animals known for their graceful movements. Some species exhibit a remarkable tendency to launch themselves out of the ocean, performing impressive aerial displays. Observers often wonder about the reasons for this dramatic act.
The Spectacle of Leaping Stingrays
The sight of a ray leaping from the water, known as breaching, is a notable event. These powerful creatures can propel themselves several feet into the air; some, like eagle rays, breach over 10 feet high before plunging back down with a loud splash. Mobula rays are also known for launching themselves up to two meters out of the water. This behavior is commonly seen in species like cownose rays, eagle rays, and mobula rays.
Primary Reasons for Aerial Displays
Scientists propose several theories for why stingrays perform these aerial maneuvers, suggesting the behavior serves multiple purposes. One reason is to dislodge external parasites, such as remoras. The impact of re-entry into the water can help shake off these unwanted hitchhikers. This parasite removal hypothesis is particularly prevalent for filter-feeding rays.
Jumping may also serve as a form of communication among rays. The loud splash upon re-entry can generate sound signals, potentially informing other rays about food availability, signaling their location, or aiding group cohesion. Some researchers propose these displays are part of mating rituals, where males demonstrate their vigor and attractiveness to potential mates. The energy expended in such a jump could signal fitness.
Breaching may also function as a predator evasion tactic. A sudden leap could disorient a pursuing predator, such as a shark, allowing the ray a moment to escape or change direction. Some observations suggest jumping could simply be a form of play or exploration.
Do All Rays Jump?
Not all species within the broader ray family exhibit this dramatic jumping behavior. While the term “stingray” is often used broadly, the aerial displays are more commonly observed in specific groups, such as cownose rays, eagle rays, and mobula rays. Mobula rays, sometimes referred to as “devil rays,” are well-known for their leaps, with all nine species known to jump. These rays, while sharing similarities with true stingrays, are distinct and generally lack the prominent tail stinger found in many common stingray species.
Manta rays, which are closely related to mobula rays, also engage in breaching behavior. However, true bottom-dwelling stingrays, which are often more circular in shape and typically remain on the seafloor, are less likely to perform these aerial feats. Therefore, while many “rays” jump, it is a characteristic behavior of certain species within the diverse ray family, rather than a universal trait across all stingrays.