Latest news with #Yanchoris
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Giant manta ray dives under Florida paddleboarder: 'Unbelievable'
The Brief A paddleboarder near Honeymoon Island, Florida, had a rare and thrilling encounter with a giant manta ray. The video shows the manta ray gliding beneath the paddleboard, with the paddleboarder reacting calmly and excitedly to the sighting. Giant manta rays are the largest ray species and are protected in Florida waters. DUNEDIN, Fla. - A paddleboarder in Florida was enjoying a ride along the Gulf Coast when a massive creature appeared beneath him—a giant manta ray! What we know The encounter took place in mid-May near Honeymoon Island in Dunedin and was captured by drone footage shot by John Yanchoris. In the video, the manta ray can be seen gliding through the water as the paddleboarder approaches. It quickly dives into the clear waters beneath the board. The paddleboarder doesn't seem startled; instead, he's seen waving and pointing excitedly at the creature. What they're saying Yanchoris described the moment to Storyful as "unbelievable," noting that it's "very rare" to spot a giant oceanic manta ray in that area. Dig deeper According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the giant manta ray is the largest in the world with a wingspan of up to 29.5 feet with an average around 22 feet. These gentle giants can weigh as much as 4,000 pounds. Manta rays are protected in Florida state waters and pose little danger to humans, the FWC noted. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written on information shared by Storyful. Additional details about giant manta rays were provided by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘Something very unusual' seen swimming above manta ray near Honeymoon Island
PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — A drone operator captured a rare video of a manta ray near Honeymoon Island with 'something very unusual' swimming above it on Friday. John Yanchoris said he flew his drone about 1,000 feet from shore at Honeymoon Island when he spotted a manta ray. 'I saw something very unusual swimming directly on top of it, I didn't realize what it was until I downloaded the video and viewed it,' Yanchoris said. 'Wow, it was a shark swimming directly on top of a manta ray. I could not believe it!' WATCH: Huge alligator sunbathes on Florida golf course Two manta ray species call Florida home: the Devil Ray and the Giant Manta. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said they are protected in Florida waters and are of little danger to humans. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
