Angelsharks are very unique looking. Their body is very flat and bizarre-shaped. Compared to the similar looking batoids (rays) their pectoral fins are not connected to their heads. The lower lobe of the caudal fin is longer than the upper one. Angel sharks lack an anal fin. They show a wide distribution in temperate and tropical waters from close inshore to the upper continental slopes down to more than 1300m. Except for the Japanese angelshark, Squatina japonica, which reaches 2m, are all others of smaller size. Angel sharks have an ovoviviparous style of reproduction (aplacental viviparoity). All 13 species belong to the same genus.