Manta Rays Are The Social Butterflies Of The Ocean And I’m Fucking Living For It

Manta rays are great. They’re just giant flapping ocean butterflies and I really like them. But it turns out they also have the capability to form emotional social connections and friendships much like humans.

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According to the ABC, reef manta rays actually form social bonds, so they’re not just swimming around together for safety or convenience. AWWWW. They’re actually friends.

A study that took place over five years investigated and observed the behavioural patterns of individual rays, and found that they make long-term bonds with fellow flappy boys.

“They’re actively choosing to group with another ray they’re basically friends with, rather than coincidentally bumping into them,” said Robert Perryman, the PhD candidate at Macquarie University behind the study.

Obviously, girls were the superior species (woo! girls!), making lots of long term relationships with other females, while the male rays weren’t quite as social.

The scientists aren’t too sure why girls make better friends than guys, but they think it might have something to do with reproductive trials. While the males are busy swimming around trying to find a lady friend, the gals get to hang out.

Funnily enough, the researchers also seem to think it might have something to do with protection, because male rays can harass the girls. Sounds familiar, right?

“The females are possibly grouping together to avoid harassment from males.”

We already knew that rays and other elasmobranch species including sharks are social creatures, but this is the first time researchers have actually been able to study their bonds and relationships.

It’s cool that science has made this discovery, but honestly I’m just living for the fact that these cute ocean babies are hanging out in the water being best friends.

Manta rays make actual friendships and my heart can’t handle it. Happy Friday, go hang out with your friends because we’re all manta rays deep down. Right?

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