The Angel Shark is most closely related to other members of the Squatinidae family, including the Pacific Angel Shark (Squatina californica) and Japanese Angel Shark (Squatina japonica).
6.5 to 8 ft (2 to 2.4 m)
Length
Up to 77 lbs (35 kg)
Weight
About
The Angel Shark (Squatina squatina) is a bottom-dwelling species of shark belonging to the family Squatinidae, found in the coastal waters of the eastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Once common across its range, this unique species is now critically endangered due to overfishing, habitat degradation, and accidental capture in bottom trawls.
Angel Sharks are instantly recognizable for their unusual body shape, which resembles that of a ray. Their flattened bodies, broad pectoral fins, and wide mouths allow them to lie buried in sand or mud on the seafloor, camouflaged and waiting to ambush prey. Adults typically grow 5–8 feet (1.5–2.4 meters) long and weigh up to 77 pounds (35 kilograms). Their coloration—mottled gray or brown with small white spots—provides excellent concealment against sandy substrates.
They are nocturnal ambush predators, feeding on fish, crustaceans, and mollusks. Using a lightning-fast strike, Angel Sharks can capture prey in less than a second, sucking it into their powerful jaws. Despite their impressive hunting skills, they are generally not aggressive toward humans unless provoked.
Reproduction is ovoviviparous: females give birth to live young after embryos develop inside egg capsules within the mother. Litters usually consist of 7–25 pups, which are born fully formed and independent. Lifespan in the wild can exceed 25 years.
Historically abundant in European waters, the Angel Shark has suffered catastrophic declines, particularly in the North Sea, where it has virtually disappeared. Today, strong conservation measures, including fishing bans and habitat protection in the Canary Islands and parts of the Mediterranean, are critical for its survival.
The Angel Shark’s unique appearance, ambush hunting style, and precarious conservation status make it one of the most distinctive and important sharks of European and Mediterranean waters.
Threatened:
Extinct
Critically Endangered
Endangered
Vulnerable
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Physical Characteristics
Angel Sharks are flat-bodied ambush predators, resembling rays in shape but belonging to the shark family (Squatinidae).
Body Shape:
Flattened, broad body with large pectoral and pelvic fins that spread outward, giving a ray-like appearance.
Skin & Coloration:
Mottled brown, grey, or reddish skin with scattered white spots and blotches, providing camouflage against sandy and muddy seabeds.
Head:
Broad and flat with large spiracles behind the eyes for breathing while buried in sand.
Mouth & Teeth:
Large, terminal mouth positioned at the front of the head, equipped with sharp, needle-like teeth for grasping prey.
Fins:
Two dorsal fins positioned far back on the body. No anal fin, distinguishing them from many other sharks.
Tail:
Short and muscular with a well-developed caudal fin, used for sudden bursts of speed during ambush strikes.
Size:
-
Length: 6.5 to 8 ft (2 to 2.4 m).
-
Weight: Up to 77 lbs (35 kg).
The Angel Shark’s ray-like body, sandy camouflage, and ambush adaptations make it one of the most distinctive and specialized bottom-dwelling sharks.
Reproduction
Angel Sharks are ovoviviparous, giving birth to live young after embryos develop inside the mother’s body.
Mating Season:
Breeding occurs in warmer months, typically late spring to early summer, in shallow coastal waters.
Gestation:
Pregnancy lasts about 8 to 10 months, depending on water temperature and food availability.
Birth:
Females give birth to 7 to 25 pups at a time. Pups are fully formed and independent at birth, measuring about 9 to 12 in (25 to 30 cm).
Mating Behavior:
Males use claspers to fertilize females internally. Courtship involves close following and biting of the female’s fins or body.
Maturity:
Males reach sexual maturity at 4 to 5 ft (1.2 to 1.5 m) in length, while females mature later, at around 5 to 6 ft (1.5 to 1.8 m).
Reproductive Strategy:
Angel Sharks rely on producing moderately large litters with fully developed pups to ensure survival, as they receive no parental care post-birth.
Lifespan
Angel Sharks are long-lived predators with slow growth and late maturity, typical of many shark species.
Average Lifespan in the Wild:
They live around 20 to 25 years, though some individuals may reach 30 to 35 years in favorable conditions.
Lifespan in Captivity:
Rarely kept in captivity due to their specialized habitat needs. When maintained in aquariums, survival is usually shorter than in the wild.
Life Cycle Dynamics:
-
Juveniles: Born at 9 to 12 in (25 to 30 cm) long, highly vulnerable to predation.
-
Subadults: Grow slowly, taking years to reach sexual maturity.
-
Adulthood: Reproduction begins late; females mature later than males, contributing to slower population recovery.
-
Senior Age: Older sharks remain effective ambush predators, though reproduction declines gradually.
Threats to Longevity:
-
Fishing Pressure: Often caught as bycatch in trawl fisheries, reducing natural lifespan.
-
Habitat Degradation: Loss of sandy seabeds impacts survival.
-
Low Reproductive Rate: Long gestation and late maturity limit recovery from population losses.
The Angel Shark’s extended lifespan, coupled with its slow reproductive cycle, makes it highly vulnerable to overfishing and habitat disruption.
Eating Habits
Angel Sharks are stealthy ambush predators, relying on camouflage and sudden strikes.
Diet:
They feed on flatfish, small sharks, rays, crustaceans, and mollusks. Their diet varies with availability, but fish make up the bulk of their intake.
Hunting Strategy:
-
Ambush Predators: Bury themselves in sand or mud with only eyes and spiracles visible, waiting motionless for prey.
-
Sudden Attack: Strike upward with explosive speed, engulfing prey in powerful jaws.
-
Night Hunters: More active at night, though they ambush opportunistically at any time.
Feeding Method:
Sharp, needle-like teeth grip slippery prey, while suction created by their large mouths helps pull prey in. Food is swallowed whole or torn into manageable pieces.
Group Feeding:
Angel Sharks are solitary hunters, rarely feeding in groups.
Ecological Role:
As mid-level predators, they regulate populations of bottom-dwelling fish and invertebrates, contributing to healthy seafloor ecosystems.
Uniqueness
The Angel Shark is one of the most unusual sharks, combining ray-like features with shark biology.
Ray-Like Body:
Its flattened body and broad fins give it a striking resemblance to rays, though it is a true shark.
Ambush Strategy:
Unlike active-swimming sharks, Angel Sharks rely on camouflage and explosive ambush attacks, striking with lightning speed from the seabed.
Camouflage Experts:
Their mottled skin allows them to bury and blend into sand or mud, making them nearly invisible to prey and predators.
Slow Reproduction:
With long gestation and late maturity, Angel Sharks reproduce more like large mammals than typical fish, contributing to their vulnerability.
Conservation Concern:
Once common in European waters, they are now critically endangered due to fishing bycatch and habitat loss, making sightings rare and significant.
Scientific Value:
They offer unique insights into evolutionary links between active-swimming sharks and bottom-dwelling rays.
The Angel Shark’s blend of ray-like form, stealth hunting, and critical conservation status makes it one of the ocean’s most distinctive and fascinating predators.
Be the First to Share Photos of This National Park.
FAQ’s
1. What is the closest species to the Angel Shark?
2. How does the Angel Shark compare to other sharks?
Unlike most sharks, Angel Sharks have flat, ray-like bodies and bury themselves in sand to ambush prey. They are slower and more cryptic than active-swimming shark species.
3. What national parks provide the best opportunities to see an Angel Shark?
They can be seen in protected coastal areas such as Cabrera Archipelago Maritime-Terrestrial National Park (Spain), Doñana National Park (Spain), and parts of the Canary Islands Marine Reserves.
