Sand devil

Taxobox
name = Sand devil, or Atlantic angel shark


image_caption =
status = DD | status_system = IUCN3.1
trend =
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Chondrichthyes
subclassis = Elasmobranchii
ordo = Squatiniformes
familia = Squatinidae
genus = "Squatina"
species = "S. dumeril"
range_

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range_map_width = 200px
range_map_caption = Range of Sand devil (in blue)
binomial = "Squatina dumeril"
binomial_authority = Lesueur, 1818The sand devil or Atlantic angel shark, "Squatina dumeril", is an angel shark of the family Squatinidae found in the subtropical outer continental shelf and upper slopes of the western Atlantic from southern New England to the Gulf of Mexico, Jamaica, Venezuela and Colombia between latitudes 43° N and 9° N. It is found from the surface to depths of 1,400 m, and its maximum length is 1.5 m.

The sand devil is a ray-shaped shark, with its head narrowing to a distinct neck at the base of the pectoral fins. The head is strongly concave between the large eyes. There are a few small but prominent thorns on the snout. It feeds on small bottom fishes, crustaceans and bivalves. It will bite when captured and can inflict nasty lacerations with its trap-like jaws and pointed teeth.

Coloration is a plain bluish to ashy-grey, sometimes with dusky or blackish spots. Small white spots are present in the young. The underside is white with red spots and reddish fin margins.

Reproduction is ovoviviparous, with up to 25 pups in a litter born in the summer.

References

*
* Compagno, Dando, & Fowler, "Sharks", Collins Gem, HarperCollins, London 2006 ISBN 0-00-721986-5