Angel Sharks

Angel Sharks are nocturnal bottom dwellers that ambush their prey which includes fish, shrimp and other aquatic creatures. They can be found in the Mediterranean Sea and Eastern Atlantic. They are also known as Sand Devils or their scientific name Argentina Angel Shark S. Argentine. There are three species found in the Mediterranean Sea that are listed as Critically endangered the Angel Shark, Smoothback Shark, and the sawback Shark.  Females and newborns are rarley found making it difficult to study reproductive and newborn pups. The sharks are a placental viviparous species 2-10 pups develop in uterus for four months than move to the cloaca until born approximately 11 months with the reproductive cycle being triennial, and give birth in shallow water. Typical breeding cycle of angel sharks is two years. These sharks are the second most threatened species of sharks and rays in the world. Angel Shark Project will increase government capacity to protect the sharks better by expanding partnerships and collecting data will inform management and enhance legal protection of these sharks. on behalf of the Angel Shark Project Zooological Society Of London in the canary Islands Spain gave a gave a three year grant core which status is complete of $469,385. 

                                                                                                      Angel Sharks (Squatina  Squatina)

• Common Names : Angel Shark

• Scientific Names : Squatina Squatina

• Order: Squatiniformes

• Family: Squatinidae

• Diet: Fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods

• Habitat: Sandy or muddy bottoms, rocky reefs, seagrass beds

• Distribution: Northeast Atlantic, Mediterranean Sea 

• Size : up to 7.3

• Weight : up to 77 pounds (35 kg)

• Speed : Slow-Moving, typically less than 1 meter per second

• Life expectancy : up to 35 years

• reproduction : Aplacental Viviparity

• Gestation : 5-10 months

• Litter Size : 7-25 pups

• Conservation Status : Critically Endangered

                                            Scientific Classification Of Angel Sharks

• Kingdom : Animalia

• Phylum    : Chordata

• Class          : Chondrichyes

• Order        : Squatiniformes

• Family       : Squatinidae

• Genus        : Squatina

• Species      : Squatina