Most species are found in tropical seas, some are temperate and a few are cold-water species. Of the cow-nose rays, Rhinoptera bonasus is a typical species found in temperate and subtropical waters. It averages slightly less than 3 ft across the pectorals. The manta rays are the largest and most oceanic of the rays. The Atlantic manta reaches 20 ft across the pectorals and weighs more than 3,000 lb.
Mantas are harmless unless harpooned.
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