Atlantic devil ray vs Schwertwal

Mobula hypostoma compared with Orcinus orca

Key Differences

  • Atlantic devil ray is Endangered while Schwertwal is Data Deficient.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank Atlantic devil ray Schwertwal
Kingdom same Animalia (Tier) Animalia (Tier)
Phylum same Chordata (Chordatiere) Chordata (Chordatiere)
Class Elasmobranchii Mammalia (Säugetiere)
Order Myliobatiformes (Stechrochenartige) Cetacea (Whales & Dolphins)
Family Myliobatidae Delphinidae (Oceanic Dolphins)
Genus Mobula Orcinus (Orcas)
Species Mobula hypostoma Orcinus orca

Evolutionary Relationship

Atlantic devil ray and Schwertwal share a common ancestor at the Phylum level: Chordata. (Chordatiere)

Conservation Status

Atlantic devil ray

EN — Endangered

Schwertwal

DD — Data Deficient

Population: ~50.0K

Trend: Unknown ?

Physical Characteristics

Attribute Atlantic devil ray Schwertwal
Diet Carnivore
Average Lifespan 50 years
Average Length 8.0 m
Average Weight 5.4 t

Habitat & Geographic Range

Atlantic devil ray

Schwertwal

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests, and tropical and subtropical grasslands and savannas, among 11 distinct biome types. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Widely distributed across Asia (Taiwan), Europe (4 countries), and South America (Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela).

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.

Schwertwal

The largest member of the dolphin family, orcas reach up to 9 meters and 6 tonnes and are found in every ocean from Arctic to Antarctic. Apex predators living in matrilineal pods with distinct dialects, hunting strategies, and cultural traditions that differ between populations. Some populations specialize in fish, others in marine mammals. No natural predators; orcas sit at the top of every marine food chain they inhabit.

Nature FYI Family

Explore more of the natural world across our sister sites.

Part of the Nature FYI family — FYIPedia