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These sharks, in the genus Squatina, are unusual in that like the wobbegong shark are flat. Sometimes called "monkfish" (they’re not; there’s a separate genus Lophius that is properly called "monkfish"), they have broad pectoral fins, resembling rays. There are 23 species in this genus (at least, thus far that have been discovered). It’s the only one in its family (Squantinidae) and in the order Squantiniformes.
They are a pretty cosmopolitan animal, found in temperate/tropical seas. They prefer shallow waters, but of course there’s that one mopey shark that decides, “Yo, I want to be 1,300 m (4,300 ft) away from the rest of you." So, it hangs out in the deep. ![]()
Although relatively flat, their rear rounds out, looking more like a typical shark. But until a typical shark, the lower caudal fin of their tail is longer than the upper caudal fin. Looking like a ray, one big difference is that angel sharks lack gills on their underbelly- instead, the gill slits are on their back!
These sharks are pretty small… and by pretty small I mean they grow up to 1.5 m (about 5 ft… so Melissa's height aka small). The Japanese angel shark, Squatina japonica, can reach 2 m (6.7 ft) though. As seen in many horror-story-worthy videos of the goblin shark, they too have pretty extensible jaws. Clearly these sharks don’t swim fast, and rely on ambushing their predators, their jaws literally becoming traps of death. Long and needle-like teeth included. And like many ambush predators, they bury themselves in the sand/muddy substrate and then lie and wait…. until chomp. Their diet includes fish, crustaceans and many molluscs. Yummy. These sharks are viviparous with yolk-sac; litter sizes can reach up to 13! Like many bottom-dwelling sharks, they are pretty harmless… until they are stepped on and/or harassed. Don’t mess with the shark, guys, it has powerful jaws and painfully sharp teeth. Once a “junk fish” caught as bycatch by fishermen, the continued fishing of this animal radically reduced numbers, and eventually called for fishery management. In 2008, the UK government fully protected the angel shark under the Wildlife and Countryside Act. The IUCN assessment varies depending the species. species
did you know these #flatsharks?glossary
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AuthorTFUI Founder Melissa C. Marquez is author of all animal bios and "Behind the Fins" segments. SEE MELISSA'S TEDx TALK HERE:
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