Author: (Linnaeus, 1758)
FBname: Angelshark
Comments: A benthic species that occurs inshore, on coasts and along the continental shelf; may enter estuaries (Ref. 247, 58085). Found mainly on sand or mud bottoms; sluggish by day, lying buried with eyes protruding. Also utilizes areas with macroalgae, kelp or rocks (Ref. 88920). Nocturnal species, swims off bottom at night. Feeds mainly on flatfishes and other benthic fishes, but also on skates, crustaceans and molluscs, with one record of swallowed cormorant (Ref. 247, 28070).  Moves to deeper waters during winter, returning to the shallower depths in the spring (Ref. 88187), moving northwards in summer. Ovoviviparous (Ref. 50449, 107715). Females generally grow larger than males (Ref. 58137, 107710, 107713, 107715). Detects weak electric fields generated by other organisms (e.g. potential prey) (Ref. 10311). The marine leech <i>Stibarobdella macrothela</i> is a common parasite (Ref. 107712) and the isopod <i>Aegapheles deshaysiana</i> a common micropredator (Ref. 107714) for this shark species in the Canary Islands.  Utilized fresh and dried salted for human consumption, and possibly for oil and fishmeal (Ref. 247).  Reaches 250 cm (Ref. 35388).