Angelshark
Squatina squatina
- Scientific name
- Squatina squatina
- Group
- Sharks & Rays
- Rarity
- Epic
- Where to see it
- Mediterranean
- Conservation status (IUCN)
- Critically endangered
Did you know?
Despite its ray-like flattened shape, the angelshark is actually a true shark that ambushes prey while buried in sand. Once common across European waters, it is now critically endangered, with its last significant stronghold found around the Canary Islands.
What defines this group — Sharks & Rays
The cartilaginous fish: not a single bone in the body, a skeleton made entirely of cartilage.
- A cartilage skeleton, lighter and more flexible than bone.
- No gill cover: five to seven gill slits open on the sides or underneath.
- Pores on the snout — the ampullae of Lorenzini — pick up the electric field of prey.
Other species in this group
- Common stingray
- Blacktip reef shark
- Small-spotted catshark
- Common torpedo ray
- Bluespotted ribbontail ray
- Thornback ray