Spotted Eagle Ray following me / strange behavior

[TSalles]

Hello all!

I am posting with a very unique story and inquiring if anyone has had a similar experience or knows why this ray was acting the way it was. I am no diver but I am very familiar/comfortable with the ocean. I get in and spearfish, snorkel every chance I get. Yesterday I was snorkeling at the reef in Lauderdale by the Sea, (not spearfishing) when suddenly I was approached by a Spotted eagle ray larger than me. (I am 5'3" 115lbs) It was magnificent. However, my awe slowly turned to slight fear because it was not acting like a typical ray. It was not shy like most are, it was getting extremely close to me, within an arms distance multiple times. I was maybe thinking I was near its young and I was invading its space, so I started to swim away from the area. This ray pursued me for around 10 minutes continuing to get extremely close. I also noted the ray was injured on one of its wings and had a small hook in its snout. After around ten minutes of pursuing me it finally just turned away and left. I am still thinking about the experience and wondering what it wanted. It was very cool but also terrifying because it was so much larger than me. Looking for any knowledge. I know these animals are very shy.

 

[Wheeler925]

Maybe it was seeking help with the hook?

 

[Still Kicking]

Maybe it was seeking help with the hook?

I think that ascribes too much intelligence to a ray.

Usually they are interested in one thing .... food. I think rays are generally bottom feeders but a large one might take a fish from a spearfisher if they had the chance. Maybe this one has learned that divers sometimes present an easy opportunity for a meal.

 

[TSalles]

Maybe it was seeking help with the hook?

In the moment I had a thought that it might be that as well. If it had no barbs I would've attempted to help. But I didn't want to injure it further and risk getting one of those barbs all alone in the water.

 

[TSalles]

I think that ascribes too much intelligence to a ray.

Usually they are interested in one thing .... food. I think rays are generally bottom feeders but a large one might take a fish from a spearfisher if they had the chance. Maybe this one has learned that divers sometimes present an easy opportunity for a meal.

I agree that it maybe that was too much rational thought for a ray, even though they are pretty intelligent. Considering a human is what hurt it in the first place.
I have heard that they do try and get an easy meal from spearfishers. I had my pole spear on my dive bouy and it was doing a few swoops near the bouy. So maybe it was after food. Good thoughts.

 

[Reefy]

I second the idea that it was likely following you with the hope of getting an easy meal either- it probably associates divers with spearfishing, or with kicking up sand and sediment with fin strokes that expose benthic crustaceans.

In any case, I'm happy that you were able to share your dive with an eagle ray. They're incredible animals, and are always welcome company any time I'm on a dive.

 

[OTF]

It may have thought you would make a nice mate.

 

[happy-diver]

Sometimes there have been so many overhead enough to blockout the sun can't look at them creepy things

 

[TSalles]

It may have thought you would make a nice mate.

Hahaha right I hope so

 

[TSalles]

I second the idea that it was likely following you with the hope of getting an easy meal either- it probably associates divers with spearfishing, or with kicking up sand and sediment with fin strokes that expose benthic crustaceans.

In any case, I'm happy that you were able to share your dive with an eagle ray. They're incredible animals, and are always welcome company any time I'm on a dive.

Im glad we're mostly thinking food, takes some of my fear away if I see him or her the next time I dive. Thank you it was a very cool experience to see such a massive beautiful creature so close up. They really are incredible and its a moment I will never forget.