Body shape
Flattened body with broad pectoral fins, producing a strong resemblance to rays.
Angel Shark
Squatina
Angel sharks (genus Squatina) are flattened, bottom-dwelling sharks resembling rays that inhabit temperate and tropical seas worldwide.
Species Guide
What to know about angel sharks
A clean field guide focused on habitat, identification, behavior, and conservation context without burying the useful parts.
Angel sharks belong to the genus Squatina and are the only living members of the family Squatinidae and order Squatiniformes. They have flattened bodies and broad pectoral fins that give them a strong resemblance to rays. Angel sharks occur worldwide in temperate and tropical seas, commonly inhabiting sandy seabeds around 150 m depth, with some species found as deep as 1,300 m. Most species are shallow-water inhabitants, while a few occupy deeper waters. They are ambush predators with a stationary, bottom-dwelling habit; this behaviour makes long-distance trans-oceanic migrations unlikely, although some large-scale coastal movements have been reported for species such as Squatina squatina.
Fishing pressure has resulted in significant population declines for many angel shark species; several are now classified as critically endangered by the IUCN.
Ambush predators with a stationary, bottom-dwelling habit; trans-ocean migrations are extremely unlikely, though some species show large-scale coastal movements.
The strongest linked planning options currently surface around destinations such as Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and countries such as Spain, Australia, United States of America for divers building trips around angel sharks.
