Although Angel Sharks look a lot like rays they have their gills on the side of their head and their mouth at the front of their head (rays have their gills and mouth underneath their head).
Common name: Australian Angel Shark
Scientific name: Squatina australis
Photo: E. Schloegl
Other fish in this group have names related to religious figures -find out what they are.
Sharks
Australian Angel Shark
Australian Angel Sharks live on sandy seabeds, in the coastal areas of southern Australia. They can be found down to depths of 130 m.
Australian Angel Sharks eat small bony fishes, crabs, lobsters and octopuses.
Angel Sharks camouflage themselves by lying on sandy sea beds.
They catch their food by hiding beneath a layer of sand with just their eyes visible. When something swims past they jump out and quickly thrust out their jaws to catch it with their needle-like teeth.
Australian Angel Sharks' teeth are sharp and pointed. They use them to hold food before it is swallowed.
Australian Angel Sharks can grow up to 1.5 m long.
Australian Angel Sharks give birth to as many as 20 live young at a time.
Australian Angel Sharks are not dangerous unless they are harassed.
Copyright © Australian Museum, 2003
