Playmobil 4801 Stingray Bareback Rider

I've always been fascinated with the Manta Ray. They look so majestic as they gracefully swim under the sea. Manta rays are the largest rays and are closely related to sharks. These harmless rays have a short tail and no stinging spine. They are very acrobatic and have been known to leap up from the water. Manta rays have a distinctive body shape with triangular pectoral ‘wings’ and paddle-like lobes extending in front of their mouths.

I couldn't resist not getting this Playmobil Manta Ray when it was on sale recently. I do find Playmobil boxed set prices quite high as I feel that they shouldn't cost that much but when they are going at half their usual price, I jump right in :) hook, line and sinker! Click on the pictures for a bigger and better view ;p

Click on the picture for a bigger and better view :)

Mantas have a variety of common names, including Atlantic manta, Pacific manta, devilfish, and just manta. The term manta derives from the Spanish word manta, meaning cloak or blanket. This term originated from a type of trap traditionally used to catch rays that has a form resembling a blanket.

They just look so awesome with their intimidating size and gentle nature as they glide underwater. It always appears as if they are in flight. Manta Rays can be up to 25 feet in length and weigh as much as 5,000 pounds.

I don't quite like the eyes Playmobil has painted onto their Manta Ray. They gave it he evil eye :(

The manta ray is a harmless filter-feeder. It has no teeth in its upper jaw and only tiny, skin-covered stumps in its lower jaw. It uses a pair of fleshy flaps on each side of its head (cephalic lobes) to direct zooplankton (tiny animals) and the occasional small fish into its mouth, which is on the underside of its body. These flaps, which are unfurled when feeding, are rolled into spirals while not in use. Excess water is sieved out through the manta’s gills.

Also known as "devil ray" with graceful pectoral 'wings', manta rays are easily recognised by their paddle-like cephalic lobes projecting forward from the front of the head (actually extensions of the pectoral fins, supported by radial cartilages), and a very broad, rectangular terminal mouth.

Playmobil's Manta Ray doesn't have a broad, rectangular terminal mouth.

Playmobil 4801 Stingray has a mouth on its underside that opens and it has teeth like JAWS

And here's a look at the Manta Ray's underbelly :)

This particular Playmobil set 4801 includes a Ghost Pirate who rides on the Stingray / Manta Ray's back. The Playmobil Stingray has ridges on its back for its ghost pirate rider to sit

Click on the picture for a bigger and better view :)

The cornerstone of PLAYMOBIL is the two and three quarter inch figure. The figure bends at the waist, has arms that move and hands that grasp. Very basic articulation but they are just so much FUN for kids to play with :)

Being a ghost, this Playmobil figure glows in the dark