UK Seas

Discover the wonderful sea creatures that inhabit the UK seas and shores

UK seas is a guide to the fauna and flora found around UK coasts. While the majority of species are marine, some species are included that are regularly encountered on land by the coast, so you’ll find descriptions of non-marine species such as reptiles, amphibians, insects and plants as well.

Angel shark

Squatina squatina

Type

Elasmobranch

Description

An unusual-looking shark, with a flattened body and thick tail that was once sold as “monkfish”.

Nocturnal, they inhabit sandy or muddy areas of sea bed. They completely bury themselves during the daytime, with only their eyes visible.

Location

All around the UK, but extremely rare.

Habitat

Open ocean, Subtidal, Seabed