A rare ocean visitor drew attention off Long Island last week after an oceanic manta ray was seen feeding near Jones Beach State Park.
Video of the encounter shows the enormous marine animal gliding unusually close to shore, offering beachgoers a glimpse of a species seldom observed in New York waters.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation said oceanic manta rays are most often found in tropical and subtropical seas.
Still, the DEC noted in a Facebook post about the remarkable sighting that the species can occasionally appear off New York during the warmer summer months.
Manta rays feed by filtering the water, using their wide mouths to take in large quantities of zooplankton.
The DEC said they may also move into deeper waters while searching for medium-sized fish.
The oceanic manta ray is the world’s largest ray species, capable of growing to extraordinary proportions.
According to DEC officials, the animals can weigh more than 4,000 pounds and may live up to 40 years.
Despite their massive size, these rays aren’t considered a threat to humans.
