Overview
This shark is distiguished by a flattened body and wing-like fins. It most commonly has a cryptically patterned appearance. The mouth contains 10 tooth rows on either side of the jaws separated by a gap. The color of this shark is typically light to dark brown with a light underside.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Chondrichthyes
- Order
- Squaliformes
- Family
- Squatinidae
- Genus
- Squatina
- Species
- japonica
Habitat
The Japanese angelshark is most commonly found in the sandy shallows where it's camoflage allows it to be a successful predator. It inhabits the continental shelf but has been found in water up to 1000 feet deep.
Diet
The Japanese angelshark has a diet that consists of crustaceans, cephalopods, and demersal fish. This shark is an ambush predator that uses it's color and ability to burrow into the sand to it's advantage.
Behavior
This shark is an ambush predator that uses it's color and ability to burrow into the sand to it's advantage.
Fishing
This shark is commonly caught during the commercial fishing process. Nets are the biggest threat to the shark.
Conservation Status
Listed as Vulnerable by IUCN.