Fun Atlantic Angel Shark Facts For Kids

There are about 15 species of shark from the single genus Squatina that are included as angel sharks. The Atlantic angel shark (Squatina dumeril) is one of many species in the family of angel sharks. They are also known as the sand devil. They are named after its distribution throughout the North Atlantic ocean. They are the second most scariest shark in the family of sharks. The natural habitat of Atlantic angel sharks is deep ocean floors. They are distributed throughout temperate and tropical coastal waters.  However, most areas of these ambush hunters remain unexamined especially those living in great depths. Various organizations have conducted surveys in some particular areas throughout their marine range. They were found commonly around 50 years back. At present many angel sharks have become endangered. Fortunately, the Atlantic ones do not fall under this category. If you are interested to know more, then continue reading these amazing facts about this shark.  

For similar content check out blacktip reef shark facts and sawback angelshark facts too.

What type of animal is an Atlantic angel shark?

The Atlantic angel shark (Squatina dumeril) is a species of angel shark and is also commonly referred to as the sand devil.

What class of animal does an Atlantic angel shark belong to?

The Atlantic angel sharks of the family Squatinidae belong to the class Chondrichthyes, which is the common class of all cartilaginous fish.

How many Atlantic angel sharks are there in the world?

Angel sharks are bottom-dwelling fishes residing at great depths. As a result, their total population has not been determined. Fishing these species is also prohibited in many areas of US waters.

Where does an Atlantic Angel Shark live?

The Atlantic angel shark (Squatina dumeril) species is commonly available in the northwestern Atlantic Ocean. Their range extends from the Atlantic coast of the United States from southern New England in the north to the Florida Keys in the South, including Massachusetts, Maryland, Virginia, New York, and North and South Carolina. They are also found in abundance throughout the Gulf of Mexico, like in Alabama, Texas, and the Mexican coast. From there, the shark extends into the Caribbean and South American countries like Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Jamaica. In the South, it becomes difficult to differentiate their range from other species of angel sharks.

What is an Atlantic angel shark's habitat?

The Atlantic angel shark resides near the bottom around the continental shelf at depths ranging between 300-820 ft (90-250 m) in the winter and fall season. They can reach a maximum depth of 4230 ft (1290 m). The species also show migratory behavior in the summer. During this time, they move to shallower water near the shore at depths less than 115 ft (350 m). The sand devil often remains buried inside sand or mud.

Who do Atlantic angel sharks live with?

Sharks are generally solitary species. They live alone at great depths and conduct solitary hunting expeditions. Even the juvenile fish lives alone after a few days of its birth.

How long does an Atlantic angel shark live?

Marine science has failed in estimating the age of the species of Atlantic Angel shark. The species growth bands do not conduct correct information as they are poorly calcified. However, it is believed that they live 8.25 years like the Squatina guggenheim.

How do they reproduce?

The Atlantic angel shark (Squatina dumeril) species follow the mode of aplacental viviparous reproduction. In the female shark, only the left ovary is functional. Females lay pups between June or July. After a gestation period of 12 months, they can give birth to a minimum of four and a maximum of 25 pups.

What is their conservation status?

The fish occurs in its range as bycatch in trawl fisheries. They are listed as species of Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List. They are protected throughout the US waters and are now less victimized by fisheries for fishing. As a result, their population is either stable or growing.

What do Atlantic angel sharks look like?

*Please note this is not an image of Atlantic angel shark.

The body looks flattened with loose pectoral fins and pelvic fins. The fins are extended to the sides of the head into the skin that can be folded. The eyes are located on top of the head. They have a wide mouth in the front and broad pectoral fins. A triangular lobe separates the pectoral fins from the head. The anal fin is absent in these sharks, while the dorsal fins start from the back of the body. The jaws contain 10 upper and nine lower teeth. The color of the shark varies between gray or brown, with a red spot on the throat and abdomen. The dorsal side of the species is bluish-gray in color.

How cute are they?

The appearance of the Atlantic angel shark is not very appealing or cute. Other sharks have more distinguished features than angel sharks.

How do they communicate?

A shark cannot make any noise. They communicate with each other using different body language, like opening their jaws or nodding their head.

How big is an Atlantic angel shark?

The Atlantic angel shark (Squatina dumeril) length varies between 4.3-4.9 ft (1.3-1.5 m). They are few feet less in length than the species of nurse sharks.

How fast can an Atlantic angel shark swim?

Sharks generally prefer to swim slow underwater. They only swim fast over short bursts while attacking prey. The exact speed is not determined.

How much does an Atlantic angel shark weigh?

The sand devils or the Atlantic angel sharks have a minimum weight of 35 lb (16 kg).

What are their male and female names of the species?

The male and the female do not have any specific names. Both of them are called Atlantic angel sharks.

What would you call a baby Atlantic angel shark?

The babies of angel sharks are called pups.

What do they eat?

The Atlantic angel shark is a predator species and not preyed upon. These bottom-dwelling sharks prey primarily on small fishes like butterfish, croakers, and goatfishes. Some secondary prey of the shark includes squid, shrimp, bivalves, and crabs.

Are they dangerous?

The species is not aggressive towards humans and causes no harm unless they are provoked.

Would they make a good pet?

Sharks are not suitable as pets as they are wild animals.

Did you know...

The Atlantic angel shark has spines on its body. These spines help in gripping during copulation.

Are Atlantic Angel Sharks dangerous to humans?

Atlantic angel shark bites are very painful because of their long teeth. They will only attack humans when they are provoked. As of now, no records of unprovoked human attacks by the shark have been listed. However, while handling them, care should be taken.

Why are Angel Sharks endangered?

Once found in abundance, the angel sharks are currently endangered throughout many regions of their range. The primary reason why they have become highly endangered is commercial fishing. These bottom-dwelling fishes have high chances of being caught by trawl fisheries as bycatch. These species became recognized as endangered collectively in 2016.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other fish including requiem shark facts, or basking shark facts.

You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our atlantic angel shark coloring pages.