Gallery
‹ Previous Photo Next Photo ›
Click the photo to view an even larger version.
The projections off either frontal aspect are “cephalic fins”. These are used to direct plankton in the water column into the manta’s mouth.
When they are feeding, they are open and directing the water flow. When they want to streamline for speed, they roll them up like a barber pole (shown here).
Isla San Benedicto – Revillagigedos Archipelago, Mexico
February 2, 2009