Shark
African Angelshark
Squatina africana
A flattened, ray-like shark that lies buried in sand ambushing prey, found on sandy bottoms off the KZN and Cape coast.
Also known as african angel shark, angel, angel shark, angelshark, engelhaai, monkfish
- Typical size
- Commonly 0.8-1.2 m
- Habitat
- Sand and mud flats near reef edges
- Depth
- Around 20-100 m
The African angelshark has a broad, flattened body with wide wing-like pectoral fins, giving it the look of a ray, but it is a true shark with a terminal mouth and gill slits on the sides of the head. Sandy-brown and finely mottled, it lies half-buried on the bottom, near-invisible until it lunges upward to snatch passing fish, cuttlefish and crustaceans.
It occurs on sand and mud flats along the KZN and Eastern Cape coast, often near reef edges, and spends most of its time motionless on the seabed. Ambush predators like this can be easy to miss and startle if disturbed, so divers should watch where they settle their hands. Though not aggressive, an angelshark can bite if trodden on or grabbed, and is best left undisturbed.