We are happy to inform all divers that the Baby Eagle ray is back!
We had a resident baby Eagle ray for a long time after the big typhoon two years ago. It was sticking around over Christmas and for about another 2-3 months, and when it had grown enough, it moved away from Monad Shoal. We see adult Eagle rays on some occasions when diving, but rarely the baby ones.
Just recently we have been treated with not just one, but THREE baby Eagle rays! A little further down you will see a small video of one of them swimming around. Not a bad start of the day to see baby Eagle rays and the famous Thresher Sharks as the sun rises.
Some fast facts about eagle rays:
- The Eagle ray we see around here is the White-spotted Eagle ray (Aetobatus narinari)
- They can reach a wing span of 2.5 meters, even when they’re normally only around 1.5 m. Their tails on the other hand, can reach up to 5m!
- Eagle rays give birth to 2-4 pups each time. They are pregnant for about a year and they give birth to full grown pups that are about 15-35 cm in wingspan. These pups already have a really long tail so they look really cute!
- They feed on small fishes and Crustaceans. Sometimes, you may even see them digging their snouts into the sand looking for small crabs, shrimps and molluscs.
- They are also known for leaping out of the water! (Which you can see here in Malapascua)
- They are amazing to see so take the chance here at Malapascua with Evolution!
Baby eagle ray from Daniel Holmstedt on Vimeo.
Seen at 15 m at Monad Shoal, Malapascua Philippines
