Angel Shark Size report
The Angel shark (scientific name: Squatina squatina) is a unique species in the family of sharks; its shape is different from the common shark; its body is flat, its pectoral and anal fins are broad, and it is very good at burying itself in the sand to disguise itself as part of the seabed. They are characterized by cone-shaped tentacles, no spines on the back, and gray or brown, with some dark and light markings.
Angel sharks are the second most threatened shark and rays in the world. Due to their coastal habitat and flat stature, these species are vulnerable to a combination of fishing and habitat degradation. These marine species have been found in the temperate waters of the Northeast Atlantic from Norway and southern Sweden to Western Sahara and the Canary Islands, including the British Isles, the Mediterranean, and the Black Sea. In recent years, they have disappeared from the North Sea and the Northern Mediterranean.
Angel sharks inhabit the continental shelf, prefer soft seabeds such as mud or sand, and infest shores in depths up to 150 meters. Northern angle shark colonies migrate north in summer and south in winter. Let's find out more interesting facts about Angel sharks here.
Angel Shark Size and Characteristics
Angel shark body is broad and flat, gray or rust-brown, with dark and white spots on the back; large mouth; pectoral fins as broad as wings; anal fins disappear. The eyes are small and located on the back, followed by large air holes. There is a pair of tentacles in front of the nostrils. The head is flanked by a row of skin folds and triangular fins. Teeth are small and sharp. Juveniles are more decorated than adults, with pale lines and dark knots; the leading edge of the dorsal fin is darker, the trailing edge is lighter, and some have white spots on the neck.
Angle sharks wear a color similar to the environment and often quietly lurk in the seabed sediment. But once frightened, it can use its large pectoral fins for swimming at an alarming speed. Flat sharks are nocturnal and hide in sediment to ambush their prey. They mainly eat bony fish, rays, and invertebrates in benthic areas.
Average Size of Angel Shark
Male Angle sharks and females can reach lengths of 2.4 meters and 1.8 meters, respectively, and the heaviest can reach 80 kilograms. The Angle shark is born at a length of 24 to 30 cm (0.8 to 1 ft). Females mature at 1.2 to 1.7 m (4.1 to 5.5 ft), and males reach a maximum length of 1.8 to 2.3 meters (6 to 7.3 ft).
| Size | |
|---|---|
| Born Size | 24 to 30 cm (0.8 to 1 ft) |
| Female Length | 1.2-1.7 m (4.1-5.5 ft) |
| Male Length | 1.8-2.4 m (6-7.3 ft) |
| Weight | up to 80 kg |
Lifespan & Reproduction
Little is known about the growth and reproduction of common Angel sharks. Females give birth to live young, with a two or three-year reproductive cycle. Angle sharks are placenta-free viviparous, and the gestation is thought to last from 8 to 12 months with litter sizes that range from 7 to 25 pups.
Final Words
Angel sharks live in tropical and warm temperate oceans on continental shelves worldwide. Since the 20th century, frequent fishing has decimated their numbers, and they are now extinct from the north. The population is also threatened due to low reproductive rates. In recent decades, recreational fishing, unintentional capture in commercial fishing nets, and habitat degradation have led to substantial decreases in populations of common Angel sharks, making the species critically endangered.
