An unusual visitor made a splash off Long Island when an oceanic manta ray was spotted feeding in the waters near Jones Beach State Park last week.
Video captured shows the massive marine animal swimming close to shore, bringing attention to a species that is not commonly seen in New York waters.
According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), these creatures typically call tropical and subtropical seas home.
The department added in a Facebook post regarding the extraordinary sighting that this species can sometimes be spotted in New York waters during the warm summer months.
Manta rays are filter feeders, using their large mouths to consume significant amounts of zooplankton.
According to the DEC, the rays can also venture into deeper water to search for medium-sized fish.
The oceanic manta ray is the largest species of ray in the world and can reach enormous sizes.
Officials with the DEC said these animals can weigh more than 4,000 pounds and live as long as 40 years.
Despite their massive size, these rays aren’t considered a threat to humans.
