A very pregnant female ray had to fend off four courting males

For the first time, giant devil rays have been filmed courting in the waters of New Zealand. It seems males start pursuing females while they are still pregnant.

In March 2017, recreational fisherman Scott Tindale of the International Game Fish Association in Albany saw a heavily pregnant female giant devil ray (Mobula mobular) being pursued by four mature males. The female swam ahead of the males and repeatedly changed direction, as if trying to throw them off. She mostly swam at or near the surface, preventing the males from getting on top…