Angular angelshark facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Angular angelshark |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Squatina
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| Species: |
guggenheim
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| Range of Angular angelshark (in blue) | |
| Synonyms | |
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Squatina punctata Marini, 1936 |
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The angular angelshark, also known as Squatina guggenheim, is a type of shark. It belongs to the Squatina genus within the Squatinidae family. These sharks live in the waters near Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina. They can be found in marine (ocean), brackish (slightly salty), and demersal (near the seabed) environments. They usually live at depths from about 4 to 360 meters. Their main diet includes bony fish, crustaceans like crabs, and mollusks such as clams.
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What Does the Angular Angelshark Look Like?
The angular angelshark has a flat body shape, similar to a ray. Male sharks have a rough, spiny patch on their pectoral fins. These are the fins on their sides, like "wings." This spiny area is not found on females or young sharks. Scientists believe these spines help the male hold onto the female during mating. Both male and female angular angelsharks typically grow to be between 89 and 130 centimeters long. They have about 18 to 22 teeth in both their upper and lower jaws.
How Do Angular Angelsharks Grow and Reproduce?
The angular angelshark is a type of shark that is ovoviviparous. This means the mother carries her eggs inside her body. The embryos develop using a yolk sac for food, similar to a chicken egg. The eggs hatch inside the mother, and then live young are born. Interestingly, only the left ovary in female angular angelsharks works. The right ovary is not very effective. Females usually carry their young for 9 to 12 months. They typically give birth to 3 to 9 pups at a time, often in shallow waters.
Where Do Angular Angelsharks Live?
Angular angelsharks are mostly found in the southwestern part of the Atlantic Ocean. They are common along the coasts of Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil. This area is a subtropical zone, meaning it has warm temperatures. They are usually found in sandy or muddy areas on the ocean floor.
Why Are Angular Angelsharks Endangered?
Currently, the angular angelshark is an endangered species. This means their population is very low and they are at high risk of disappearing forever. A big reason for this is overfishing. Because these sharks live on the bottom of the ocean, they are more easily caught by fishing nets. It's also thought that the stress from fishing might cause female sharks to leave their young earlier than they should. Unfortunately, Brazil has not yet taken strong actions to help this shark population recover.
