Angel sharks have a flattened body with enlarged pectoral and pelvic fins, resembling a ray or skate. This specialized body shape allows them to live directly on the ocean floor. They employ a stealthy, ambush hunting strategy, relying on their ability to camouflage themselves within their environment.
Worldwide Distribution
Angel sharks inhabit temperate and tropical marine environments, typically found across continental shelves globally. The common angel shark (Squatina squatina) historically ranged throughout the northeastern Atlantic Ocean, from southern Norway and the British Isles down to Morocco, including the Mediterranean Sea.
Despite historical prevalence, angel shark distribution has significantly contracted over the past century, with their range shrinking by more than 80%. Many populations are now fragmented or localized, and they are considered locally extinct in some areas, such as the North Sea. The Canary Islands serve as a stronghold where these sharks are still regularly observed. Other Squatina species, like the Pacific angel shark (Squatina californica), are found in the Pacific Ocean, ranging from southern Alaska to Baja California and extending to parts of South America.
Preferred Marine Environments
Angel sharks prefer shallow, coastal waters, often inhabiting bays, estuaries, and continental shelves. They typically reside at depths ranging from a few meters to approximately 150 meters, though some species can be found deeper, occasionally down to 1,300 meters. Their favored habitats include sandy or muddy bottoms, seagrass beds, and sometimes rocky areas.
Their flattened bodies and mottled gray or brown coloration provide excellent camouflage, allowing them to blend seamlessly with the ocean floor. Angel sharks bury themselves partially in the sand or mud, with only their eyes and spiracles—specialized openings for water intake—remaining visible. This strategic positioning, along with their ability to pump water over their gills while remaining perfectly still, makes them effective ambush predators.
Conservation of Angel Shark Habitats
Angel shark habitats are under pressure from various human activities. Habitat degradation, including the destruction of seagrass beds and damage to sandy and muddy seafloors, directly impacts their foraging and nursery grounds. Coastal development, pollution, and marine infrastructure further contribute to the deterioration of these living spaces. Overfishing and destructive fishing practices, particularly bottom trawling, pose a threat because angel sharks are frequently caught as unintended bycatch. These trawling nets also inflict direct damage on the seabed environments where angel sharks reside.
Climate change presents an additional challenge to their preferred environments, primarily through rising sea temperatures and ocean acidification. Elevated water temperatures can disrupt biological processes, such as breeding, leading to female angel sharks avoiding traditional mating grounds when conditions become too warm. To counter these threats, conservation efforts are underway, including the establishment of marine protected areas and the implementation of sustainable fishing regulations. For example, angel shark populations in the Canary Islands now receive full protection under the Spanish Endangered Species List. Collaborative initiatives like the Angel Shark Project and the Angel Shark Conservation Network actively gather data and engage local communities to safeguard these critically endangered species and their habitats.