Angel Shark
Common Names: Angel Shark, Monk Shark, Sand Devil
Scientific Name: Squatina squatina
Size: Around 2m
Found in: East and North East Atlantic, Mediterranean and Black Seas.
Population Status: Critically Endangered (IUCN, 2012)
Tooth Shape:
Long needle like teeth for grasping prey such as
fish, crustaceans and molluscs.
Angel sharks are sit and wait predators. Having strong
jaws which can extend forwards and upwards to capture
prey.
Reproduction:
Ovoviviparous, after a gestation period of 8-10 months,
these sharks give birth to litters of 7 to 25 young.
Pups measure around 24 to 30 cm at birth.
Little is known about sexual maturity or rates of reproduction.
Interesting Facts:
Angel Sharks are bottom dwellers and may be found down to 150m or more. They have a flattened body, somewhat resembling a ray.
They are highly susceptible to being caught as by-catch especially by bottom trawlers. This species is protected in the UK and Balearic Islands.
There are several different sub-species of Angel Sharks including:
Squatina:
Long needle like teeth for grasping prey such as
fish, crustaceans and molluscs.
Angel sharks are sit and wait predators. Having strong
jaws which can extend forwards and upwards to capture
prey.
Reproduction:
Ovoviviparous, after a gestation period of 8-10 months,
these sharks give birth to litters of 7 to 25 young.
Pups measure around 24 to 30 cm at birth.
Little is known about sexual maturity or rates of reproduction.
Interesting Facts:
Angel Sharks are bottom dwellers and may be found down to 150m or more. They have a flattened body, somewhat resembling a ray.
They are highly susceptible to being caught as by-catch especially by bottom trawlers. This species is protected in the UK and Balearic Islands.
There are several different sub-species of Angel Sharks including:
Squatina:
- •aculeata
- •africana
- •argentina
- •australis
- •californica
- •dimeril
- •formosa
- •japonica
- •nebulosa
- •oculata
- •squatina
- •tergocellata
- •tergocellatiodes