Atlantic devil ray vs Common Seal

Mobula hypostoma compared with Phoca vitulina

Key Differences

• Atlantic devil ray is Endangered while Common Seal is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Atlantic devil ray	Common Seal
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Elasmobranchii	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Myliobatiformes (Myliobatiformes)	Pinnipedia (Seals & Sea Lions)
Family	Myliobatidae	Phocidae (True Seals)
Genus	Mobula	Phoca (Harbor Seals)
Species	Mobula hypostoma	Phoca vitulina

Evolutionary Relationship

Atlantic devil ray and Common Seal share a common ancestor at the Phylum level: Chordata. (Chordates)

Conservation Status

Atlantic devil ray

EN — Endangered

Common Seal

NT — Near Threatened

Population: ~500.0K

Trend: Stable →

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Atlantic devil ray	Common Seal
Diet	—	Carnivore
Average Lifespan	—	30 years
Average Length	—	1.7 m
Average Weight	—	80.0 kg

Habitat & Geographic Range

Atlantic devil ray

Common Seal

Habitat

Typically found in diverse ecosystems where prey species are available.

Range

Found across Europe (7 countries) and North America (United States). Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

Atlantic devil ray

The Atlantic devil ray (Mobula hypostoma) is a species in the genus Mobula. It is currently classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

Common Seal

The most widely distributed pinniped, harbor seals inhabit temperate and subarctic coastal waters of both the North Atlantic and North Pacific. Adults reach up to 130 kg and spend roughly equal time at sea hunting fish, squid, and crustaceans and hauling out on beaches or rocks to rest. Their large, expressive eyes are adapted for underwater vision in low light. Harbor seals are a critical food source for orcas, sharks, and polar bears.