Angel Sharks

Angel Sharks or Squatina

An article by Hannah Mackay with The Voice Fuerteventura

Love is in the Air for the Angel Sharks of Fuerteventura. It’s not just us Humans up here on dry land getting in the spirit of Valentine ’s Day, below the waves the Angel Sharks are displaying “that loving feeling” as well. 

RAY-LIKE SHARKS 

Angel sharks belong to the Squatinidae family and they are a type of fish that have stretched out bodies as well as wide pectoral fins, and largely resemble a ray.  Their colourings can vary from white markings to a reddish brown colour which helps them to camouflage themselves.  They spend most of their time buried beneath the sand or silty bottoms of the sea.  

NIGHT STALKERS 

They are mainly active at night when they come out to hunt and feed.  They are mostly ambush feeders who lie low, waiting for small fish or crustaceans to pass by and then pounce upon them.  

DANGEROUS LIASONS 

Little is known about their mating season, mainly due their dwindling numbers over the years, but studies of them around the world have revealed that the male of the species matures around 8 years old around 30-31 inches in length and the females at 13 years old and can reach 35-39 inches in length.  The mating season can vary from place to place, but generally it is believed to take place in the spring to summer seasons.  

The young develop inside the female (Ovoviviparous) encased in and egg where they hatch inside the female and are nourished by a yolk sac that shrinks over time.  Gestation is around 10 months and then the female gives birth in deep waters for protection to around 6-10 pups.  

BABY SHARKS 

The new born pups are approximately 8 inches long.  Sadly not more than 20 % of new born Angel sharks reach maturity.  For those that beat the odds and reach maturity, they can live for up to 30 years in the wild.

Although these wonderful animals fall under the name “shark” they are not to be feared.  They like most sharks, they are not dangerous to humans unless provoked.

SHARK FACT:  in 2015 there were more people killed by Selfie stick accidents than shark attacks!