The Pacific angelshark is one of many species of angel shark — named for their flattened appearance and wide pectoral fins that are separated from the head, resembling wings!
Pacific angelsharks are a small, bottom-dwelling shark that loves to hang out on sandy seafloors, in shallow bays, estuaries, and even around rocky reefs and kelp forests. Males grow to be almost 1.2 meters (4 feet) long, with females getting a bit larger at nearly 1.5 meters (5 feet) in length. These flat sharks can be found in the Eastern Pacific Ocean off the coast of North America from Alaska to the tip of Baja California, Mexico.
Masters of disguise, Pacific angelsharks blend right into the ocean floor with their flat bodies and clever color patterns. Unlike many sharks, they don′t need to keep swimming to breathe—they pump water through special holes called spiracles, letting them lie perfectly still. This helps them ambush unsuspecting prey and stay hidden from lurking predators, such as large sharks and elephant seals. While Pacific angelsharks can be often found resting during the day, they emerge at night to roam the oceans openly in search of food. They have relatively large mouths, equipped with a powerful set of jaws with 14-18 rows of teeth, helping them to chow down on prey like bony fishes, crustaceans, mollusks, squids, and octopuses.