Angel Shark

The Angel Shark is a flattened, ray-like shark belonging to family Squatinidae, historically common across the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean but now among the most critically threatened shark species in European waters. Its broad pectoral fins and dorsoventrally flattened body give it a superficial resemblance to rays, though it retains typical shark gill and fin arrangements. Adults reach 1.2-2.4 meters. Once widespread from Scandinavia to West Africa, populations have collapsed due to historical bottom-trawl fishing pressure and habitat degradation, leading to its current Critically Endangered status, with the Canary Islands now considered a key remaining stronghold.

• Flattened, ray-like body with broad, winglike pectoral and pelvic fins
• Mottled sandy gray-brown coloration with small dark spots, providing camouflage on sandy seafloors
• Wide, flat head with small eyes positioned on top for scanning while buried
• Two small dorsal fins set far back near the tail, absent from true rays
• Terminal mouth located at the front of the head, unlike the underslung mouth of rays The combination of shark-typical gill slits on the head sides, a terminal mouth, and two rear dorsal fins distinguishes it from true rays despite its flattened body shape.

Angel Sharks inhabit soft sandy or muddy seabeds on the continental shelf of the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean, typically at depths from shallow coastal waters down to about 150 meters. They favor open sandy or gravelly bottoms near coastlines rather than reef structure, often partially burying themselves for camouflage. Historically distributed from Scandinavia south to Mauritania and throughout the Mediterranean and Black Sea, the species has been extirpated from much of its former range, with the Canary Islands now serving as one of the few remaining significant population strongholds.

Angel Sharks are ambush predators that spend much of their time partially buried in sand or sediment, remaining motionless with only their eyes exposed while waiting for prey to approach, then striking upward with explosive speed to capture fish, crustaceans, and mollusks. They are primarily nocturnal, becoming most active after dark. Reproduction is ovoviviparous, with females producing litters of roughly 7-25 pups after a gestation period of 8-10 months. Their sedentary, camouflaged ambush lifestyle makes them highly vulnerable to bottom-trawling activity, a major factor in their severe historical decline.