http://www.foxnews.com/science/2014/05/20/scary-fanged-cannibal-fish-washes-ashore-alive/
They can grow to be as long as 6.5 feet in length.
About 1970, I was up on one of the fishing piers and saw a manta ray roughly the same size as the record one in the link swim just behind the breakers (and just behind the swimmers, who were oblivious). He was fast, probably 15mph or maybe more. He continued around the pier, up the beach, and out of sight.
http://blog.modernmechanix.com/mags/ModernMechanix/4-1934/giant_manta.jpg
Also, from the vantage point of the pier you could see sharks mingling with the swimmers and surfers. Those IN the water can't see them because of surface reflection.
Are manta rays vicious? I don't know anything about them...
mantas are filter-feeders and don't have a stinger, either. pretty benign.
This 800lb, 12 ft. alligator could've been in his back yard also:
http://wtkr.com/2014/05/26/12-foot-alligator-struck-killed-by-vehicle-in-dare-county/
"in the East Lake area of the county."
That explains it. East Lake is truly a swamp wilderness. It is locally legendary for 3 things: [1] excellent, high-quality moonshine, [2] the men who drink it, and [3] a pistols-only bear hunt.
I'll add that before the bear hunt gets underway, the men have a little aperitif --a couple of good hits of the grain alcohol. OK, maybe more than a couple. (What could possibly go wrong?)
> [1] excellent, high-quality moonshine, [2] the men who drink it, and [3] a pistols-only bear hunt.
Gotta love the good ole boys in the South.
>(What could possibly go wrong?)
Hehe, I really can't see any problems with that combo?
About 25 years ago there was a front-page article in the regional newspaper showing an NC highway patrolman on a medical gurney being loaded into a ambulance. They'd found him on the side of the road along the same stretch as that alligator. He had been pistol-whipped with his own gun, both arms broken, etc. Seems he'd stopped an East Laker who was driving very erratically. I'll never forget his quote in the newspaper:
"I used a whole can of mace on him and it only made him mad!"
http://www.news.com.au/technology/science/godzilla-huge-shark-eaten-by-mystery-sea-monster-according-to-scientists/story-fnjwkt0b-1226947396017