Founder and director of Pacific Manta Research Group, Dr. Robert Rubin, has been instrumental in understanding the manta ray. Their studies of oceanic manta rays in the Pacific Ocean span more than three decades. One of the most remarkable discoveries involves the manta ray’s unique ability to warm their brains.
Videos by InspireMore
As a cold-blooded fish, manta rays are related to sharks but have only been prevalent for 5 million years. The giant manta ray can have a wingspan of up to 26 feet. Dr. Rubin describes his first encounter with a ray during a TEDx Talk on manta ray brains. After a six-hour interaction with a female ray, he was in love. He founded the research group and is now one of the leading authorities on the species.
Manta rays have the largest brains of all fish. They are very intelligent and capable of complex thought. They work together cooperatively to manipulate their environment to survive. Mantas can recognize themselves in a mirror and notice changes such as a tag or scar. They can also recognize human differences and will remember interactions with specific divers.
Somehow, this cold-blooded creature has evolved with the ability to heat its brain. As Dr. Rubin explains, heating the brain is thought to be a significant factor in the intelligence level of these animals. Molecules move faster in warm environments. The logical conclusion is that the brain can function and process information faster by heating the brain.
From his first encounter with “Stringfellow,” Dr. Rubin has dedicated his life to studying mantas. Although we don’t understand much about sea life, scientists learn more daily. Studying manta brains may give us a greater insight into life under the sea.
Please share.
You can find the source of this story’s featured image here.
Want to be happier in just 5 minutes a day? Sign up for Morning Smile and join over 455,000+ people who start each day with good news.
