What Shark Looks Like a Stingray
The angel shark (Squatina spp.) is the shark most often compared to a stingray because of its flat body and winglike pectoral fins. It lies partially buried on the seafloor, mimicking the appearance of rays. According to the IUCN, several angel shark species are now listed as critically endangered.
Appearance and Body Shape
Angel sharks have broad, flattened bodies, enlarged pectoral and pelvic fins, and eyes positioned on top of the head, similar to stingrays. Their gill slits sit on the underside, unlike most sharks. This body plan helps them camouflage on sandy or muddy bottoms.
Habitat and Behavior
Angel sharks inhabit temperate and tropical seas, often in shallow coastal waters and continental shelves. They are ambush predators, lying in wait on the seabed for fish and invertebrates. Their flattened shape and coloration make them difficult to spot, much like stingrays resting on the ocean floor.
