• Video
  • Map
  • Extras
  • Words

Which ray is the best swimmer?

Discover which ray flies through the water, just like a bird.
00:41 32 Likes 3112 Views
Autoplay on
Like
Favourite

Which ray is the best swimmer?

Play again

Links

Rays and skates (Te Ara)

Learn about the types of rays you can find in New Zealand

 

New Zealand Eagle Ray (Nature Watch)

See all the eagle ray spotted in New Zealand by other nature enthusiasts.


Activities

Experiment: Make a swim bladder

You will need:

  • 1 heavy object (e.g. a metal spoon or block of wood)
  • 1 balloon
  • 1 kitchen bag clip (to close and open the balloon)
  • 1 rubber band (or some other way to attach the balloon to the heavy object)
  • A bucket full of water

Blow up a balloon and attach it to the heavy object. Does it sink or swim?

What happens when you remove air from the balloon? What happens when you add air?

Challenge: Can you attach the balloon to the object and add juuuust the right amount of air so that it floats in the middle of the water (beneath the surface without touching the bottom)?

This is how fish use their swim bladders to move up and down in the water.

Swim bladder

 

The swim bladder is an internal organ that helps some fish float in the same place despite changes in the water around them. This air-filled sac also allows them to go up or down without having to waste energy swimming.

Predator

 

An animal (E.g. a shark, dolphin, or human) that naturally hunts and eats other animals.

Click for more words!
Learn to Draw
Interviews with Experts
Hauraki Gulf
YOE adventures
Riley can't find the ocean here!
Sea of Hope
SeaLegacy's Sea of Hope episode
Which ray is the best swimmer?
Can you tell the future?
Have you ever met a stingray?
Should we protect our seabirds?
Riley's amazing orca discovery
Kaitiakitanga - Community story
Hope Stories - Fish and Chips
How far do little blue penguins swim?
How do spiny rock lobsters grow?
What does a dolphins sonar tell them?
Meet the humpback whale
What are threats to seabirds?
Riley searches for sharks
Riley confronts a big fear
Why call it a carpet shark?
Seaweed Dad jokes
Hope Stories - Experiencing Marine Reserves
Catch fish not birds
Riley explores a coral reef
Riley searches for crayfish
Riley searches for sharks
Crab Dad jokes
What is a gulf?
Learn to Draw - Short-finned Eel
Sharks - super fast swimmers
Why get caught on a fishing line?
Shark Dad jokes
Why is plastic so bad for sea creatures?
Riley finds some massive clams!
Little blue penguin eggs
Fish Dad jokes #1
Riley explores a coral reef
How do we stop spreading marine pests
Where do most living things live?
National Geographic legends
Kina - Rangatahi
How fast does giant kelp grow?
Learn to Draw - Sperm Whale
If you were a turtle, would you rather ...
Learn to Draw - Great White
Whai & Navigation
Whale Dad jokes
Meet the striped marlin
Riley searches for crayfish
Hope Stories - Sea Cleaners