Weird Ray Facts (for a 6-year-old)
Rays are funny sea animals that look like flat pancakes with wings. Here are some weird and cool things about them!
- They look like flying pancakes. Rays are flat and their front fins are like big wings. They flap them to swim.
- Stingrays have a tail spike. Some rays called stingrays have a sharp spine on their tail. They only use it if they are scared.
- Manta rays are giant but gentle. Manta rays can be as wide as a car, but they do not sting and they eat tiny plankton like vacuuming the water.
- Some rays make electricity. Electric rays can make little shocks to catch food or defend themselves. It is like a tiny zap.
- They sometimes walk on the sea floor. Some rays use their fins to push and move along the bottom like walking.
- They hide in the sand. Rays can bury themselves under sand so only their eyes stick out to watch.
- They breathe from holes on top. Rays have little holes called spiracles on top of their bodies to help them breathe when they are on the bottom.
- Many rays have live babies. Instead of laying eggs, some rays have baby rays that swim out of their mother ready to go.
How a ray swims and eats — step by step
- Flap wings: The ray moves its big fins up and down like wings to glide through the water.
- Find food: It uses its mouth under its body to scoop up crabs, shrimp, or tiny plankton.
- Eat: Some rays bite and crush shells with strong teeth. Manta rays filter tiny food from lots of water.
Beach safety tip: If you go in shallow water, shuffle your feet while walking so stingrays can hear you coming and swim away. Never pick up a wild ray.
Which ray do you think is the weirdest or coolest? Draw one and give it a silly name!