Cocos (Keeling) Islands 2021 Reef Manta Ray Set of 4 Stamps MUH

Issue date: 18 May 2021

The warm waters around the Cocos (Keeling) Islands are frequented by a great range of marine life, including the Reef Manta Ray (Mobula alfredi). Found in tropical and sub-tropical parts of the Indo-Pacific, this spectacular ray reaches up to five metres in width.

Unique belly markings are used to identify individual rays, and there have been 72 reef manta rays identified around the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, with 12 individuals seen more than once. As the name suggests, this ray is generally seen in reefs close to shore but may venture out to depth to feed on zooplankton, the tiny, microscopic animals found in the water column. The female gives birth to one or sometimes two pups after a gestation period of around 12 months.

The Reef Manta Ray is classified as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.