Pacific Angel Shark (Squatina californica)
Illustration: R. Aidan Martin
Angel Sharks are reminiscent of skates, with flattened bodies. They often hide in the sand, waiting to pounce. Their eyes are on the top of their heads, and their gills are on the ventral, or bottom parts of their body. And their pectoral and pelvic fins are splayed out like flat wings.
Angel Sharks spend much of their time partially buried on the sandy bottom of the ocean hiding in wait for prey. It will then snap up, expand its mouth and grab the prey.
Characteristics of Angel Sharks, Order Squatiniformes
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# of Species
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19
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Body shape
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Body flattened top-to-bottom. Eyes on top. Many species grow to 5 feet.
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Mouth position
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Terminal mouth; blunt snout
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Anal fin
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No
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Dorsal Fin
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2
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Fin spines
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No
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# of Gill slits
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5
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Reproduction
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Ovoviviparous (eggs develop in the mother’s body and are born alive).
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Unique qualities
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Shape; eyes & spiracle at top of head; fleshy barbels
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Habitat
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Marine; from temperate to tropical; bottom dwelling; Eastern and western Atlantic, southwestern Indian, eastern and western Pacific oceans; Depths from intertidal to 4,560 feet
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Food
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Small bony fishes, crustaceans, cephalopods, bivalves, and gastropods
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The 19 Species of Angel Sharks
Red indicates inclusion on the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species.
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Genus Squatina
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Species
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Common name
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Squatina aculeata
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Sawback Angelshark
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Squatina africana
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African Angelshark
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Squatina argentina
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Argentine Angelshark
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Squatina armata
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Chilean Angelshark
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Squatina australis
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Australian Angelshark
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Squatina californica
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Pacific Angelshark
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Squatina dumeril
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Sand Devil
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Squatina formosa
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Taiwan Angelshark
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Squatina guggenheim
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Hidden Angelshark
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Squatina japonica
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Japanese Angelshark
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Squatina nebulosa
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Clouded Angelshark
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Squatina oculata
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Smoothback Angelshark
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Squatina punctata
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Angular Angelshark
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Squatina squatina
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Angelshark
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Squatina tergocellata
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Ornate Angelshark
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Squatina tergocellatoides
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Ocellated Angelshark
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Squatina sp. A
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Eastern Angelshark
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Squatina sp. B
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Western Angelshark
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Squatina sp.
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Cortez Angelshark
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